In the market for a big man who could stretch the floor at the trade deadline, the Bucks made an effort to acquire Frank Kaminsky from the Hornets, but were turned down, sources tell Sean Deveney of Sporting News. Having missed out on Kaminsky, Milwaukee instead sent a handful of second-round picks to New Orleans to acquire Nikola Mirotic.
With Mirotic and Brook Lopez both headed for unrestricted free agency this summer, however, Deveney expects the Bucks to circle back to Kaminsky, who will be eligible for restricted free agency. Milwaukee’s ability to land him will depend on a number of factors, including how serious the Hornets are about re-signing him and what happens with the Bucks’ own free agent bigs. Still, it’s a potential pairing to watch, particularly if Kaminsky becomes unrestricted and is available at a discount.
Here’s more on the Bucks:
- In a separate article for Sporting News, Deveney previewed the Bucks’ offseason, suggesting that the team will make Khris Middleton its top priority in free agency this summer over Lopez, Malcolm Brogdon, and others.
- After the Bucks’ season ended last weekend, Lopez said he’d “love to be back,” while George Hill – who is expected to be waived to avoid his full $19MM guarantee – said that money has never been the most important factor for him in free agency, as Malika Andrews of ESPN.com relays.
- In an interesting piece for The Athletic, Eric Nehm spoke to Giannis Antetokounmpo about what the Bucks star learned during his first extended playoff run, and how he’ll apply those lessons going forward. “There are so many things I thought were tough in the regular season,” Antetokounmpo said after playing three rounds of postseason basketball. “They’re not.”
- The Bucks recently worked out UNC forward Cameron Johnson, per Gery Woelfel of Woelfel’s Press Box (via Twitter). The 21st player on ESPN’s big board, Johnson may no longer be available by the time Milwaukee picks at No. 30.
Devaney suggested a 4/$70 for Brogdon; also that they have no bird rights on Lopez, must sign him with capspace, and that they have to renounce all holds to do that– including Brogdon’s. Yikes.
No contract suggestion for Lopez… who knows what $. He could wind up where he came from, Nets or Lakers!
Cam Johnson would be an excellent pickup for the Bucks, but yeah, they’d most likely have to trade up to get him. If he somehow falls, or the Bucks are able to trade up, Johnson would make for a great pairing with Giannis. He’d be another long defender, that’s also a solid rebounder, he has some good touch from deep, and he’s capable of getting his own basket. Johnson actually reminds me a lot of Middleton.
If the Bucks can sacrifice maybe a future first, or a couple 2nd’s and a younger role player, then Johnson would be exactly what the Bucks need. Like I said before though, I don’t think it’s reasonable for the Bucks though, because they likely have to trade into the late teens or very early 20’s to get him. Who knows with the draft though, he might fall into the mid 20’s, and the Bucks could just possibly get him for their 1st and a couple 2nd’s..