Grading the Bucks’ Offseason Moves
Coming off of their first championship in 50 years, the Bucks had a few questions and areas to address this summer before defending their title next year. While the core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday is locked up for years to come, they still had some pending free agents to bring back and some needs to fill. Here is what they did:
Re-Sign Bobby Portis (2 years, $9M)
The most important thing the Bucks hoped to do this offseason was bring back Bobby Portis, although there were questions about whether they would be able to. Portis, as expected, declined his $3.8M player option to become an unrestricted free agent, and it became a question of whether he was willing to take a pay cut to stay in Milwaukee. The best offer the Bucks could make him was $5.9M (using the mid-level exception), but after the postseason Bobby had, he could have likely made twice that amount of money elsewhere. The hope in Milwaukee was that he would be willing to take the $5.9M and run it back with the team and city that changed his career last year, and he took even less at $4M.
This was a best-case scenario for the Bucks, as they were able to keep Bobby without going into the mid-level exception. Portis was a key piece off the bench in the playoffs who became a fan favorite during the Bucks’ championship run, and it was an unselfish move of him to sign such a team-friendly deal right now. However, in the long run, this was still a smart move by Portis, as he now has early bird rights and can opt-out next offseason so that he can get an even bigger contract later than he could have gotten now. Overall, this is great for both sides — it benefits the Bucks now, and Portis later.
Grade: A+
Sign Semi Ojeleye (Minimum)
After P.J. Tucker signed with the Heat, the Bucks needed to find someone who could attempt to fill Tucker’s role last year. While there are no players who can do exactly what Tucker did as a defensive stopper and a pest, Semi Ojeleye can sort of fit that mold. He has always been known as a good defensive power forward, and he is also a capable shooter offensively (37% from three over his last 2 seasons).
The important thing about Ojeleye — and any players for the Bucks right now — is that he is playable in the playoffs, particularly against teams like Brooklyn. He can be brought in to defend at a high level and give some high energy minutes, but should not be expected to do a whole lot offensively, similar to P.J. Tucker last year. It is disappointing that the Bucks could not bring back Tucker and this is not the flashiest signing, but Ojeleye is a suitable replacement on a minimum deal.
Grade: B-
Sign Rodney Hood (Minimum)
The signing of Hood seems like a low-risk, potentially high-reward move for the Bucks. After tearing his achilles in December 2019, Hood had the worst season of his career last year, averaging just 4.5 points per game on 45% TS and 30% 3P. This allowed the Bucks to buy low on him, and even if he doesn’t return back to form, they aren’t losing a whole lot. If Hood does become his old self again — a guy who averaged 12.5 points on 37% from three in his career before the injury — then it could turn out to be a huge bargain for the Bucks.
Hood can potentially give the Bucks some scoring and shooting off the bench that they now need after losing Bryn Forbes to the Spurs, and his defense is serviceable as well. At 6’8”, if Hood can stay healthy and become more of the player he used to be before the injury, he should be easily playable in the playoffs off the bench and somebody who can help the Bucks a lot on a minimum contract.
Grade: B
Sign George Hill (2 years, $8M)
George Hill is back! The Bucks signed Hill to a 2-year deal worth $8M (using some of the mid-level exception) to be the much-needed backup point guard, which he was for them in 2019-20. Milwaukee, as expected, did not bring back Jeff Teague after the season, so they desperately needed a backup guard who could handle the ball when Jrue Holiday goes to the bench. Hill provides ball-handling, shooting, veteran smarts, and defense off the bench, and seems like a great option to fill that hole for the Bucks. He is a career 38% 3-point shooter, and shot 44% from three over the past 2 seasons (89 games) and 48% on catch-and-shoot threes over that span.
For his career, Hill averages 2.5 assists per turnover, and with his experience, he is someone that the Bucks can trust to have as their ball handler off the bench. Backup point guard was arguably the Bucks’ biggest need heading into this offseason, and this move fills it nicely.
Grade: B+
Trade for Grayson Allen (Sam Merrill & 2 future 2nd round picks)
After trading the 31st pick on draft night in exchange for the 54th pick (Sandro Mamukelashvili), the 60th pick (Georgios Kalaitzakis), and two future 2nd round picks, the Bucks then flipped those future 2nd round picks plus guard Sam Merrill to the Grizzlies for Grayson Allen. Although he has always been someone who fans (particularly Badger fans) tend to root against, Allen should be a very solid piece for the Bucks both this season and in the future.
Allen started 38 out of his 50 games last year for Memphis and averaged 10.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 59% TS and 39% 3P. He is particularly good on catch-and-shoot threes, shooting 40.6% for his career on almost 400 total attempts. In addition to being a solid scorer and shooter, Allen is an above-average defender and gives great effort on both ends. He is someone who surely will be a big contributor for the Bucks next year and could even potentially become a starter at some point. Through trades, the Bucks essentially used their 31st pick on Grayson Allen, and to get a proven player who can help the team immediately with that pick is a big win.
Grade: A-
Overall, the Bucks seem to be better now on paper than they were last year. Losing P.J. Tucker was a tough blow, but they were able to bring back their most important free agent (Bobby Portis), get some players who can hopefully replace some bench production (Ojeleye and Hood), acquire a backup ball handler (Hill), and turn the 31st pick into a proven player (Allen). Everyone knew the core would still be here, but the supporting cast and bench looks to be even better, deeper, and younger than it was last season.
Overall Offseason Grade: B+
