2022 Bucks Offseason thread

[patrickgpe]

With yesterdays loss, I think we should start a new thread to discuss how the bucks can get back to the top of the mountain. 

 

1) Unrestricted Free Agents to be: Carter, Ibaka, Matthews

2) Restricted Free Agents to be: Nwora, Winnington

3) Player Options: Connington, Thanasis, Portis.

Of the UFA’s I think Carter is the one that makes the most sense to return. The 2 RFA’s, If they want to come back on the cheap, thats fine, but both are bench fodder.

Obviously Thanasis will be picking up the player option. I would imagine Portis and Connington opt out to test free agency. 

Bucks have 160k of contracts on the books already, so I can’t see them doing much FA wise. 

Regarding the draft, I have a feeling they will try to move that pick for an expiring contract similar to 2019 when they drafted Kevin Porter JR who could be of help for Lauer. If they do make a pick, I’d love them to take a chance on the Jokic kid. If not, I’d like to see an older shooter, maybe Wendell Carter from Duke. 

Horst has shown to be a shrewd GM, but this offseason is not only critical, its going to be a challenge. 

[nate82]

Nwora will probably be back.  I think Connaughton may accept his player option but I am not sure on Portis.  If the Bucks trade Lopez they will try and bring back Portis.  If Connaughton declines his player option he is 100% gone.  I don't see Thanasis turning down his option.

That leaves the Bucks with a 1st round pick that they can't afford.  I think that will be traded during the draft whoever the Bucks take will be going to another team.

If the Bucks wanted to get real risky they could trade Middleton to Portland and do a sign and trade for Anfernee Simmons and Portlands 1st round pick.  Simmons would be better than Allen which would move Allen to the bench.  This would also get the Bucks a little bit more younger with only Giannis and Allen under the age of 30 who are signed beyond 2022.  You could also possibly get Hart in this trade which would help a little bit.  

I don't really like the trade as it would make the Bucks worse offensively and defensively in the 2022-2023 season.  Still this would be a good trade for the Bucks in 2024 and beyond. 

I think the best move would be to resign Portis and trade Lopez for future picks and an expiring or to the Clippers.  Something like Powell for Lopez should work.  I think that is about even for both teams though the Bucks would be adding another $3m to their cap number.  

I really like this trade as it gives the Bucks another shooter to pair with Middleton.  Powell would be a perfect addition to the Bucks and I think Lopez would help the Clippers out defensively.  He would also help Kawhi in the paint and allow him to focus defensively around the perimeter which should keep him healthy.  Offensively I like this for the Clippers also as Lopez should help free up Kawhi and George.  Kawhi in the paint and George on the perimeter.  

So if the Bucks do the Lopez for Powell trade that would give the Bucks a starting five of Holliday, Powell, Middleton, Giannis and Portis.  The bench also becomes a little bit better with Allen, Nwora, Hill and whoever the Bucks trade their 1st for.  

[patrickgpe]

I agree that they probably won’t be able to afford their 1st round pick. It’s sad because draft picks are normally cheap talent, but the bucks are going to be in a tight spot no matter what they do. I don’t mind your idea of trading Lopez, They obviously have to do something to clear some space.

I do think Portis and PatCon are probably gone. But as you said, if they can get rid of Lopez maybe they can give Portis a raise to keep him here. They do need to find a shooter somehow. Allen has shown to be streaky at best and is a large reason why they lost the Eastern semifinals. If you lose Connaughton as well, you probably have to rely on Nwora to make shots off of the bench. 

[GAME05]

I can't imagine it would be a ton of teams who'd want Lopez' expiring contract, but a more-mobile 5 who could actually defend the pick-and-roll would be awesome. Guessing we'd get zero back in return for Lopez and that maybe this is the "need" draft pick if there happens to be a 5 available. Even a defense-only 5 would fit in well.

Portis was asked about his extension and he said he'd leave it up to Milwaukee and his agent, which I interpret to mean he'd love to stay but only if he got a nifty raise. Milwaukee can do a 2/22 extension, at least officially, but I can't imagine they would and face the heavy repeat-offender luxury tax charge.

Middleton is also eligible for an extension this offseason or next, which would net him in the $40-50M range per year. Would the Bucks be willing to blow things up and trade him in order to preserve the strength of the remaining roster and not create a "Big 3 with zero supporting cast" scenario in the near future?

[nate82]

I think the Bucks can get something for Lopez. There is still value there I just don’t think the value is with him in Milwaukee anymore.  The Powell trade I suggested earlier would be fair for both teams and makes sense for both teams.

Middleton is kind of a problem I agree there.  Do the Bucks blow it up or do they continue with what they have for another year.  Middleton to Portland makes some sense just not sure if Portland would do it or if the Bucks would.  Portland has the assets to pull off the trade and the cap room.  

[nate82]

Reportedly Darvin Ham will be the Lakers new head coach good luck Darvin you are going to need it.  

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-coaching-tracker-latest-updates-lakers-hiring-darvin-ham-kings-tab-mike-brown-as-new-head-coach/

[nate82]

For the draft I am thinking if the Bucks can somehow steal Nikola Jovic, I think that would be the best option.  Jovic will not be ready for another 2 or 3 years and really anyone that the Bucks take at their pick really won't be ready for awhile.  If the Bucks decide to blow it up a little bit trading Middleton to Portland and then trading the 7th pick for more picks would be the ideal situation.

So something like this:

Trail Blazers get:

Middleton and Spurs 2023 1st round pick top 10 protected

Spurs get:

Josh Hart and #7 pick from the Trail Blazers and the Bucks 2023 second round pick

Bucks get:

9th and 20th pick from the Spurs and Anfernee Simmons from the Trail Blazers.  

Then draft either Bennedict Mathurin or Shaedon Sharpe at the 9th pick or trade that pick for picks in 2023 and with the 20th pick hopefully he is available take Nikola Jovic and at the 24th pick take Patrick Baldwin Jr.

Kind of a crazy trade that will probably never happen.

[patrickgpe]

First of all I think they will trade the pick, but if I’m wrong about that, I want Jovic. If he isn’t around I would like Wendell Moore as a shooter or Kessler as a big guy.

[GAME05]

I didn't think they could trade the pick since you have to have a first-round selection every other year.

[nate82]

10 minutes ago, GAME05 said:

I didn't think they could trade the pick since you have to have a first-round selection every other year.

They can trade it during the draft.  Basically they will select the player that the team they are trading the pick to so "technically" it is trading the player and not the draft pick.  

[patrickgpe]

I'm confused by that rule. In 2020 the bucks drafted RJ Hampton and traded him for the deal that got them holiday. last year's 1st went as part of that trade too, so bucks haven't made and kept a 1st round selection since DDV in 2018. 

[nate82]

Just now, patrickgpe said:

I'm confused by that rule. In 2020 the bucks drafted RJ Hampton and traded him for the deal that got them holiday. last year's 1st went as part of that trade too, so bucks haven't made and kept a 1st round selection since DDV in 2018. 

You don't have to keep the player you draft.  Basically there is a loop hole where you can trade the player which is basically trading the pick but you are trading the player instead of the pick.

[patrickgpe]

without cutting and pasting from the ESPN+ mock draft, some interesting nuggets:

1) bucks looking at upperclassman on Thursday to help them win a championship now.

2) bucks looking to move up get a big (Kessler, Mark Williams). 

they were mocked Liddel though. 

if 1 and 2 are correct, but are good news. 

[nate82]

1 hour ago, patrickgpe said:

without cutting and pasting from the ESPN+ mock draft, some interesting nuggets:

1) bucks looking at upperclassman on Thursday to help them win a championship now.

2) bucks looking to move up get a big (Kessler, Mark Williams). 

they were mocked Liddel though. 

if 1 and 2 are correct, but are good news. 

I am not sure how the Bucks could move up in the draft without trading Middleton and I am not sure how much of a jump they could get with Lopez so it would have to be Middleton in a trade.  

[sveumrules]

26 minutes ago, nate82 said:

I am not sure how the Bucks could move up in the draft without trading Middleton and I am not sure how much of a jump they could get with Lopez so it would have to be Middleton in a trade.  

Grayson + #24 should be enough to move them up into the teens if someone they want drops.

It was five years ago now, but in 2017 the Jazz traded #24 + Trey Lyles and moved all the way up to #13 to draft Donovan Mitchell. 

Lyles had 2 years left on his rookie deal at the time vs 1 year at 8.5 million for Grayson, but Allen has also proven to be a useful rotation player where Lyles had been a net negative on the court (but with ever elusive upside still) when he was dealt.

[reillymcshane]

What do the Bucks do? If they keep the pick, do they go for big upside - which means someone who may take time to develop? Or do you grab someone who could move right into the rotation and contribute from day 1? If you do that, the player's upside is likely limited.

Or do you just trade the pick for a veteran who can help now. Hard to tell. I'm guessing the club is considering all the options.

If we do keep the pick, I'm fascinated by Jalen Williams out of Santa Clara, but he seems to rising up draft boards. Looks like no way he reaches us. 

Seen Christian Braun, Kessler and Liddell mocked to us as well. All three would likely find a role right away - but not huge upside. Good chance Liddell is gone when we pick. Jovic is interesting, but an immense wild card. 

We could easily move the pick - who knows. 

[reillymcshane]

On 6/20/2022 at 11:54 AM, GAME05 said:

I didn't think they could trade the pick since you have to have a first-round selection every other year.

They technically can't trade the pick. But they can make the selection and then trade the player. So you just have the whole thing orchestrated ahead of time with another team - aka - "You (the Bucks) pick (insert player 1) at #24, and after you make the pick, deal him to us for (insert player 2)."

[patrickgpe]

If they go big, I do like Jaylin Williams. If they want a shooter, Blake Wesley seems like my top choice. I know completely different than earlier predictions / wants, but finally got a chance to review some mocks / write-ups.. 

[patrickgpe]

Bucks are on the clock. These 2 are available and I’d be happy with both. 

[nate82]

Bucks go with Beauchamp.

[patrickgpe]

He was one of the guys i thought could go here. No very upset

[nate82]

Connaughton is also coming back.  Hopefully Portis is coming back also otherwise the Bucks are going to be short on bigs.

[CheezWizHed]

51 minutes ago, nate82 said:

Connaughton is also coming back.  Hopefully Portis is coming back also otherwise the Bucks are going to be short on bigs.

Good pun!

Beauchamp seems to be the anithesis of Nwora.  Too bad you can't merge players! 

Not a bad pick though.  Maybe a younger version of Wesley Matthews (minus the 3pt shooting, but Matthews doesn't shoot too much of them anyway).  I suppose it will be interesting to see how he can improve his shooting. 

[igor67]

I heard they went with Beauchamp for his Web skills.

[patrickgpe]

FA tampering period starts tomorrow at 5pm. I’m not expecting much on the bucks side. I would love it if they can bring back Portis and Carter, but its going to be hard especially with Connaughton announcing he is accepting his player option.