With the NBA set to resume at the end of July, players and teams are preparing for a short season and playoff run. As part of the plan moving forward, each of the 22 teams invited to Orlando has been granted two extra roster spots. Teams will now be able to carry 17 players as opposed to 15. The Milwaukee Bucks currently have the league’s best record at 53-12, but must be prepared for the rest of the league to be hunting for them. The Bucks can prepare for this by adding a couple players, but which two would be the best fit? Below, we share with you five players that could make a contribution to this Bucks roster. Each is currently a free agent, available to sign with any team.
Free Agent #1- Andrew Bogut
This should be a very familiar name to Bucks fans. Andrew Bogut was the third number one overall pick in franchise history when the Bucks selected him first in the 2005 NBA draft. After spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Bucks, Bogut went to Golden State and won a championship in the 2014-2015 season.
Bogut last played in the NBA, with Golden State, during the 2018-2019 season. He currently still plays professionally in his native Australia. At 35 years old and with a lot of miles on his legs, he would not likely see many minutes in a Bucks uniform. The Bucks also have the Lopez twins anchoring the paint, which they do quite well. Bogut, though, would bring a great deal of locker room leadership and championship experience. Currently, George Hill is the only Bucks player to have won a title. Adding someone else who has been there can certainly be beneficial for a team looking to end a 49-year championship drought.
Free Agent #2- Isaiah Thomas
The Milwaukee Bucks currently have Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, and Frank Mason III as their point guards. While Bledsoe and Hill see regular playing time, Mason does not. Like Hill, Isaiah Thomas could provide instant offense off the bench. With years of NBA experience, Thomas could be a very valuable addition to this team.
Thomas most recently played this season with the Washington Wizards. In 40 games (37 starts), he averaged 12.2 points and 3.7 assists per game. The Wizards traded Thomas to the Clippers, who then waived him. For years, Thomas has been carrying a chip on his shoulder ever since his departure from Boston. He has fire and determination, which is exactly what the Bucks will need in order to win it all.
Free Agent #3- Pau Gasol
Last season, the Bucks signed Pau Gasol after he was waived by San Antonio in an effort to push them over the hump for a title. Unfortunately, Gasol appeared in just three games before suffering a foot injury that ended his season.
While Gasol has not played for a NBA team this season, like Bogut he would be a valuable veteran presence on the team. Having won multiple championships, he knows what it takes to win it all. If the Bucks felt like adding him for a stretch run last year was a good idea, there is little reason to think that a healthy Gasol could not contribute in a second go-around.
Free Agent #4- Sam Dekker
Sheboygan’s own Sam Dekker would be a fantastic addition to this Bucks’ roster. Dekker last played in the NBA in the 2017-2018 season when he split time between Cleveland and Washington (and was a Buck for a hot minute before being dealt). He spent this past season playing abroad in Russia.
Dekker is a multi-positional player which would be a perfect fit into Coach Bud’s system. His athleticism and determination would be perfect compliments to the rest of the roster. Like Thomas, he has a chip on his shoulder after not being signed by a NBA team this season. Any team that signs him would be getting a player looking to prove the doubters wrong.
If that were not enough, his shooting game is on point:
Free Agent #5- Michael Beasley
Michael Beasley, a career journeyman, spent the 2015-2016 season with the Milwaukee Bucks. He last appeared in the NBA in the 2018-2019 season with the Lakers. For the past few seasons, he has spent a lot of time playing professional ball in China, where was the league Foreign MVP in 2015-2016.
Like Sam Dekker, Beasley has the ability to play multiple positions, a trait that is highly valued in the system in which the Bucks play. Historically, he shoots 46.5% from the floor, including 34.9% from behind the arc. He can score in bunches, which would be very valuable coming off the bench.
Follow me on Twitter at @MrAdams88 and follow us @WiscoHeroics1for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
