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The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in the Finals, but if they want to repeat next year, they have to make some changes in the 2021 NBA offseason. The starting lineup should remain the same next season, but the Bucks need to shore up their reserves.
Their lack of bench depth was exposed more than a few times in the playoffs because of the injury to Donte DiVincenzo. But they were saved by a couple of strong games from Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton, with P.J. Tucker playing defensive stopper after being elevated to the starting lineup.
By the time the NBA Finals rolled around, Jeff Teague and Bryn Forbes were hardly used by coach Mike Budenholzer, and the starters had to play heavy minutes.
The Milwaukee Bucks free agents and needs
Tucker, Teague, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Alex Toupane are unrestricted free agents, while Justin Jackson is a restricted free agent. Portis and Forbes have player options and are expected to opt out.
Among them, the Milwaukee Bucks will likely try to retain Tucker, Portis and Forbes depending on what it takes to keep them. Tucker’s lack of offensive contributions may be an issue for the Bucks at the negotiating table, however.
Forbes, despite not playing much in the Finals, led the team in 3-pointers (154), making 45.2 percent from behind the arc. Meanwhile Portis had a huge game in the Finals clincher, so he will be back.
So what do the Milwaukee Bucks need?
For one, they need a swingman who can shoot from the outside, someone bigger than Forbes and can provide size for the Milwaukee Bucks bench. They need a backup center who can spell Brook Lopez. They also need a reliable point guard off the bench.
Here are 3 players that the Milwaukee Bucks should target in the offseason to improve their bench:
#3 Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony is a free agent and may be on the move this offseason. The uncertainty surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers could make him decide to take his talents to Milwaukee. He could reduce the scoring burden on Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo and play an efficient 15-to-20 minutes a game as a bucket-getter off the bench.
In 69 games last season, Anthony averaged 13.4 points and shot 40.9 percent from 3-point territory.
The Milwaukee Bucks are a championship team in need of his services and Melo would provide not just shooting and size, but also a veteran presence off the bench. The Bucks don’t have much wiggle room under the cap and would likely only offer Anthony the verteran’s minimum.
If Anthony decides that he wants a championship more than a huge payday next season, he would be a welcome addition on the Milwaukee Bucks bench.
#2 Enes Kanter
The big man that the Milwaukee Bucks need also comes from the Trail Blazers. The Milwaukee Bucks would need to free up space under the cap to acquire Enes Kanter, who earned $6.5 million last season.
Kanter’s offensive skills and rebounding prowess would be much-needed when Lopez takes a breather. He would be an instant offense player in the frontcourt. During the regular season, Kanter averaged 11.2 points and 11.0 rebounds a game, playing as a part-time starter when Jusuf Nurkic went down with an injury.
His board work is excellent and he just keeps getting better. Against the Detroit Pistons on April 10, Kanter grabbed a career-high and franchise record 30 rebounds to go along with 24 points. And that was just one of four times he pulled down 21 or more rebounds in a game.
Kanter also had 15 rebounds or more 15 times in the regular season. That’s the kind of presence underneath that could change the outcome of a ball game.
The veteran center has a different skill set from Lopez, giving the Milwaukee Bucks versatility from the center position. Additionally, if the Bucks decide to move on from Lopez, Kanter can hold the fort as a starter as well.
#1 Derrick Rose
If the Milwaukee Bucks want to repeat next season, a point guard like Derrick Rose would be ideal for them coming off the bench. Rose’s days as a starter are over, but as he showed as a reserve with the New York Knicks recently, he’s far from being washed up.
The former MVP averaged 14.9 points and 4.2 assists, while shooting 41.1 percent from three for the Knicks in just 26.8 minutes per game. When Jrue Holiday needs a breather, Rose would be able to keep the pressure up for the Milwaukee Bucks when he comes in.
He scored 26 and 30 points in back-to-back games in the first round of the postseason against the Atlanta Hawks. Seeing him carry the Knicks like that showed that he has a lot more left in the tank. His mid-range game is now paired with a more consistent 3-point shot, making him a more dangerous offensive weapon than any of the Milwaukee Bucks’ reserves this past season.
For Rose, playing for the Milwaukee Bucks gives him an opportunity to play for a title contender who desperately needs his services. This would present him with his best opportunity to win a title, something that the Chicago native will likely consider if the Bucks were to give him a call.
Guess the Lakers players!
