Pre-Draft Outlook
There were a lot of questions demanding answers as the Bucks wrapped up their season, but “Who do they select at No. 58?” wasn’t among them. The playoff flop against Miami threw so much into tumult in Milwaukee, not the least of which was coach Mike Budenholzer’s firing (replaced recently by first-timer Adrian Griffin). Addressing their free agents ranks near the top, while finding a way to add some athletic talent and youth belong on GM Jon Horst’s list too. His Jae Crowder move was much ado about nothing, when Crowder proved not to be a P.J. Tucker piece for the postseason.
The Way To Go
Bucks fans got weaned off the Draft about eight years ago, after highly touted Jabari Parker blew out an ACL for the first time and led to a series of underwhelming first-round selections (Rashad Vaughn, Thon Maker, D.J. Wilson, right on to MarJon Beauchamp last spring). If Milwaukee can’t corral its own free agents, it will need to scramble for someone else’s. The clock already is ticking again on the keep-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-happy game — and Griffin’s hiring reportedly was part of that — but it matters at the player level, too, where a new young guy could fit well as a Greek protégé.
— Steve Aschburner
Here’s a quick look at who the Milwaukee Bucks have under contract, who is a free agent this summer and who they added in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Under Contract
G: Grayson Allen
G: Pat Connaughton
G: Jrue Holiday
G: Lindell Wigginton
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo
F: MarJon Beauchamp
F: Bobby Portis
Free Agents
G: Jevon Carter (player option)
G: Goran Dragic (unrestricted)
G: AJ Green (two-way)
G: Wesley Matthews (unrestricted)
F/G: Joe Ingles (unrestricted)
F: Thanasis Antetokounmpo (unrestricted)
F: Jae Crowder (unrestricted)
F: Khris Middleton (player option)
F/C: Meyers Leonard (unrestricted)
C: Brook Lopez (unrestricted)
> 2023 Free Agent Tracker
Last Year’s Draft
2022: MarJon Beauchamp (24), Hugo Besson (58)**
* = acquired via trade
** = traded in draft-night deal
*** = traded in offseason deal