Entering the 2024 offseason, the Bucks were limited to signing veterans on minimum-salary contracts because they project to be over the second tax apron. Despite that very obvious constraint, they had still had an attractive situation for role players, with clear rotation minutes available at starting shooting guard, backup guard and backup forward for a team that won the title three years ago and has won the most regular season games in the NBA since 2019.
Milwaukee managed to sign Gary Trent Jr. (25 years old), Delon Wright (32) and Taurean Prince (30) on minimum deals, essentially replacing Malik Beasley (27), Patrick Beverley (36) and Jae Crowder (34) — clear upgrades at every position, both in terms of age and production.
While Trent will get most of the attention, and it is genuinely surprising he couldn’t find a better contract, I really like the addition of Wright. Anyone who watched him shut down Darius Garland — a very difficult player to stay in front of — a couple years ago in Atlanta’s play-in victory over Cleveland can attest to Wright’s ability to defend. He is consistently among the very best guards in the league defensively.
Wright earned between $7.8MM-$9.5MM annually from 2019-2024, so he also took a major pay cut by joining the Bucks — that was less surprising than Trent’s pay cut, however, given that Wright agreed to a buyout with Washington last season in order to sign with Miami for a prorated version of the minimum.
Wright has never been a particularly eager scorer, but the Bucks don’t need him to be — he just needs to hit enough shots to keep defenses honest. He is a solid rebounder, passer and play-maker who takes exceptionally good care of the ball — he had 119 assists and 14 turnovers in 2023/24, an assist-to-turnover ratio of 8.4-to-1. That was an outlier in part due to his low usage, but he was at 4.4-to-1 and 4.2-to-1 the previous two seasons, among the best marks in the league. Wright’s teams have consistently been better when he’s on the court, largely due to his defense.
Milwaukee desperately needed backcourt defense this summer to complement Damian Lillard, a poor defender who excels on the other end. They also needed younger legs and players who can shoot, which they acquired in Trent and Prince.
Trent is a little erratic on both ends of the court. His offensive value is tied to his ability to make shots, and he’s streaky; defensively, he’s not the best at moving his feet, but he’s not a turnstile like Beasley and he can create turnovers with steals, even if he can be prone to gambling. He isn’t a perfect player, but getting Trent on a minimum after he played pretty well earning $52MM over the past three seasons is incredible value.
One of the interesting things about the Bucks’ offseason was that they kept both of their 2024 draft picks — Nos. 23 and 33 — and used them to select players who were viewed to be more long-term prospects in AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith. An athletic but thin guard, the 19-year-old Johnson spent last season playing a limited role in Australia with the Illawarra Hawks, while Smith, a 6’11” forward who can space the floor, spent the ’23/24 campaign with the now-defunct G League Ignite.
The Bucks have been aggressive in trading draft picks for immediate upgrades for years. And given they’re trying to win right now, taking prospects who might need more time to develop is a little counterintuitive. However, Milwaukee also knows it needs to develop players internally to have a shot at remaining competitive with an aging core roster. A.J. Green, MarJon Beauchamp, Andre Jackson and Chris Livingston are among the other young players who will be looking to turn the corner in ’24/25.
Obviously, the Bucks’ postseason ceiling will depend on the health of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton. After they won that title in 2021, one of Antetokounmpo or Middleton has been injured in each of the past three playoffs; Lillard was also battling ailments in his first postseason with Milwaukee. Still, it’s hard to imagine Jon Horst and the rest of the front office having a more productive offseason than it did, given what its financial constraints.
It’s worth noting that veteran forwards Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Danilo Gallinari and Crowder remain unrestricted free agents. However, the Bucks have a full 18-man roster, making a return for any of them seemingly unlikely; Giannis’ older brother Thanasis has spent the past five seasons with Milwaukee but could miss the entire ’24/25 season due to a torn Achilles tendon.
We want to know what you think. What did you think of Milwaukee’s offseason moves? Will Trent, Wright and Prince prove to be difference-makers? Will the rookies or other young players emerge as regular contributors in 2024/25? Head to the comments to share your thoughts on the Bucks’ outlook for ’24/25.
Would’ve preferred Alex Caruso for both their draft picks this year if that was ever available but I doubt that.
I like the top 9 of their roster on paper but I liked them last year and they didn’t do anything then either. Coaching, fitness/health, familiarity with each other, locker room vibes all those other things will be what makes or breaks this team
Teams that draft low. Should take young players for the future. 12-15 all can just learn and practice well.
Bucks chances depend on their health. If they are healthy. They can compete for East. But it’s much stronger now. Than when they were top dog.
Doc Rivers will not win as a coach. Firing Coach Bud was a big mistake. 4th seed second round out.
I’m not saying if firing Budenholzer was the right move or not but just like Rivers he has one championship and his teams are usually out by the end of the second round.
They’re too good to go out that early if healthy, Doc or no Doc.
Keep Giannis and Dame. Everyone else is expendable and need to be gone.
Shop Bobby as he still has value.
Shop = upgrade
I gave them credit — Sign Prince and Trent
Why didn’t Lakers sign Prince and Trent. They can easily dump Vet Min guys to Bad teams
Considering the limitations on what they could do I think the Bucks did great. After hiring Rivers the defense did get better. Giannis and Lillard some continuity in their second season. As usual health is the key to this roster and if healthy they’re still the best bet to beat the Celtics in the East.
Agreed.
Bucks are the second best team in the East
100% fans are talking about Bucks healthy.
Last season Games Played
Giannis 73
Dame 73
Brook 79
Bobby 82
Middleton is injured as usual.
One player was injured. Why use the words “if healthy”?
Well, um … Considering Lillard missed two games in the only playoff series they played last season while Giannis missed the entire thing, health would be an issue.
Bucks are 4th on the pecking list in the east maybe even 5th. You should share that doobie.
@Johnny whatever you smoke is worse. No way that NY (less talent), Philly (same health concerns), or unproven Orlando and Indy are better than Milwaukee on paper. And on paper is all we have to go off right now.
@Sillivan
Check the box scores in the playoffs. Giannis was out all 6 games. Lillard missed games 4 and 5 I believe, though I might be mistaken on that. Middleton was very good, but was not at 100%. Boston was better and would probably win that series had the Bucks gotten by the Pacers and for argument sake, the Knicks, but they were not at all healthy when it counted.
Sillivan is AI man, don’t worry about it. Trying to machine learn comment sections.
More like AU, amirite?
Middleton slayed in the playoffs so idk what you’re talking about.
I hope that the injury bug stays away and Middleton can get back to 80-90% of former self. If so, they have a chance at another championship. Due to their age, though, I would do some serious rebuilding at the end of the season by selling high on some their players.