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Central Division Offseason Preview: Milwaukee Bucks

By Anthony Morgan

Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), forward Jabari Parker (12) and guard Tyler Ennis (11) during the game against the Chicago Bulls at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), forward Jabari Parker (12) and guard Tyler Ennis (11) during the game against the Chicago Bulls at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Chicago won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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The third installment of the Off season Preview Series kicks off with a close look at the Milwaukee Bucks and some options they have to build around a solid young core.

Milwaukee Bucks – 33-49

Guaranteed Salary: $67,242,154

Non-Guaranteed Contracts: $1,960,862

Damien Inglis ($980,431)

Johnny O’Bryant ($980,431)

Free Agents: $32,053,666 (Cap Hold)

Jerryd Bayless ($3,900,000)

O.J. Mayo ($12,000,000)

Steve Novak ($980,431)

Miles Plumlee ($5,273,235) *Restricted Free Agent*

Greivis Vasquez ($9,900,000)

Dead Money on Cap: $1,865,547

Larry Sanders (Stretch Provision)

1st Round Draft Pick: $2,140,500

10th Pick

The Milwaukee Bucks were one of the biggest disappointments of the season. After a surprising 41-41 season the year before, many picked the Bucks to continue their ascent up the Eastern Conference standings particularly thanks to the acquisition of former Piston, Greg Monroe. The Bucks lost the first three games of the seasons and were never able to turn it around finishing 33-49.

One of the keys to the decline was the spacing, finishing last in the league in both attempts and makes from three. Another issue, during their 41-41 season, the Bucks were a top-five team in the league in defensive rating but slid to 23rd this past season. Many point towards Greg Monroe as a major contributor to the decline on the defensive end which I can understand to a degree and a major factor why Monroe is being shopped by the Bucks in the lead up to the draft.

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I’m intrigued by a Monroe for Ryan Anderson sign-and-trade deal for both the Bucks and New Orleans Pelicans. Monroe should be perfectly suited alongside Anthony Davis while Ryan Anderson might be the best stretch-four in the league on the offensive end. There would still be questions to be answered regarding rim protection at the center position that will need to be answered but it would certainly open things up on offense.

Speaking of the draft, the one positive of the otherwise disappointing season is the 10th pick they have to use June 23rd. They should be able to draft a contributor with the lottery pick with the likes of Henry Ellenson, Marquese Chriss and Dejounte Murray being recently mocked to the Bucks by different sources. Whoever the selection, their career timeline should mesh nicely with one of the leagues more exciting young cores that includes Khris Middelton (24), Jabari Parker (21) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (21).

Of the three young stars, only Middelton has shown an ability to consistently hit from behind the arc. The Bucks will hope Parker and Antetokounmpo improve in that aspect to provide the spacing needed to be at their best. If they don’t they will need to find that shooting through the draft, free agency or the trade market.

Despite the Bucks being officially over the cap when the off-season kicks off they will have options to gain some flexibility. Renouncing the rights to some of their own free agents can open up as much as $25 million in cap space. Decisions, some tougher than others, need to be made on OJ Mayo, Greivis Vasquez, Jerryd Bayless and Miles Plumlee and whether or not any of them have a future with the organisation.

Milwaukee should be on the lookout for a point guard that can consistently shoot the ball from range. With Mike Conley likely out of reach, an upgrade at point guard should still be considered. Although not elite three-point shooters, players like Brandon Jennings, Jeremy Lin and Jordan Clarkson should be on the radar as significant upgrades, when it comes to stretching the floor, over Carter-Williams who is a career 25 percent shooter from three-point range. Whether they would replace him in the starting lineup or come in behind him on the depth chart remains to be seen.

Next: Stanley Johnson leads Detroit Pistons’ summer league roster

The Bucks haven’t advanced past the first round of the playoffs since 2001. They have a bright future ahead with their young core locked into team friendly deals for the near future. The organisation should have learned from mistakes made twelve months ago and target players that provide a better fit. If they do, they should have no trouble finding their way back into the playoffs.

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