The Milwaukee Bucks have had a pretty successful offseason thus far. The Bucks were able to keep their core intact by re-signing Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. But the Bucks might have difficulty filling out their roster while staying under the NBA’s second tax apron. However, Milwaukee general manager Jon Horst’s goal has been able to compete for years to come, which is why they signed Middleton and Lopez to huge deals, according to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.
“Our goal is always to sustain our success and continue to compete and be in a position to win year in and year out,” Horst said following the 2023 NBA Draft.
NBA Rumors: Milwaukee Seeking Backup Point Guard, Eyeing A Couple Of Veterans
Milwaukee also re-signed Jae Crowder. But the Bucks lost unrestricted free agent point guard Jevon Carter to the Chicago Bulls.
Milwaukee has nine players under contract with salaries totaling nearly $170 million. The Bucks have a little more than $12 million to spend before they hit the Super tax apron. This does not include unsigned second-round picks Andre Jackson Jr. and Chris Livingston, who both may get two-way deals. Lindell Wigginton is already on a two-way contract. Therefore, if the Bucks sign Jackson and Livingston to those types of deals, then they wouldn’t have any available slots left.
While Milwaukee has much work to do to fill out their roster, a backup point guard appears to be their biggest need. Twenty-eight point guards with NBA experience are still on the open market, including 37-year-old Goran Dragic. Dragic may be willing to return to Milwaukee for the elusive NBA championship. The Bucks could use their $5 million taxpayer exemption to secure the best reserve point guard possible.
Dragic was productive last year despite seeing action in 58 games, including seven contests with the Bucks. He averaged 5.6 points, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 3-pointer while shooting 41.2% from the 3-point line for Milwaukee. However, Dragic didn’t see any action in the playoffs. Is Dragic still a viable option as a main backup?
Nehm named Kendrick Nunn and Cory Joseph as players who could intrigue the Bucks.
Who Are the Bucks’ Best Options To Backup Jrue Holiday?
Kendrick Nunn
After missing the entire 2021-22 campaign, Nunn didn’t have the season he had in his first two seasons this past year. However, Nunn got back on track with the Washington Wizards after being dealt by the Los Angeles Lakers before the trade deadline.
In 31 games with the Wizards, Nunn produced 7.5 points and 1.8 assists while shooting 44.7% from the field and 39.2% from the 3-point line. Nunn is a scorer who is an efficient shooter, possessing a career 54.3% effective field goal percentage, though he could improve as a distributor. Nunn is also a below-average defender.
George Hill
Would George Hill welcome an opportunity to return to Milwaukee? Hill appeared in 195 games with the Bucks over parts of four seasons. The 37-year-old played 35 games last year with the Bucks before being traded to Indiana. Hill is a quality shooter and playmaker who also is a decent defender.
Aaron Holiday
Aaron Holiday has ties to the Bucks with his brother, Jrue. Holiday is coming off a disappointing season, but he has shot it well from deep throughout his career. He is a career 37.7% shooter from beyond the arc. Holiday would likely sign for the vet minimum.
Raul Neto
Like Holiday, Raul Neto is coming off a disappointing campaign. Neto is an average defender and excels around the hoop. While the 31-year-old is a career 36% shooter from the 3-point line, he has struggled from beyond the arc the past two seasons. Neto probably would sign for the min.
Ayo Dosunmo
Ayo Dosunmo is a restricted free agent, meaning Chicago could match any offer. The most the Bucks can offer is the taxpayer mid-level. Dosunmo is more of a slasher than a shooter. He is a decent playmaker and showed improvement as a defender this past season.
Dalano Banton
Not sure if Dalano Banton is a true backup point guard. Banton appeared in 31 games after playing in 60 the year for the Toronto Raptors. The 6-9 guard improved greatly over his rookie campaign this past season. Banton is also a good defender.
