Month: June 2018

3. Which players will be on the trade block?

Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are probably the only two untouchable players on the Bucks’ roster this offseason, but that doesn’t mean the team will be looking to move Bledsoe, Snell, Maker, or Malcolm Brogdon. Instead, the most logical trade chips on the roster are probably Matthew Dellavedova and Henson.

A beneficiary of the 2016 free agency boom, Dellavedova has two years and $19MM+ remaining on his four-year contract. While the Bucks initially signed him for his toughness and extensive playoff experience, Dellavedova’s on-court production and role declined in 2017/18, when he averaged just 4.3 PPG and 3.8 APG in 18.7 MPG (38 games). With Bledsoe and Brogdon handling point guard duties, the Bucks would probably be better off with a cheaper third option off the bench, but Dellavedova won’t have much value as a trade chip.

As for Henson, he emerged as Milwaukee’s starting center last season, rewarding the team for its trust in him with decent numbers (8.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.4 BPG). However, the big man is still very limited on offense and has trouble playing in certain matchups. He’s also not cheap, with two years and $20MM+ left on his deal, though his declining cap hits could appeal to a potential Bucks trade partner.

4. Can the Bucks upgrade the center position?

If the Bucks do make a trade, they figure to focus on the center position. The combination of Henson and Dellavedova isn’t particularly tantalizing, but attaching a first-round pick to the duo could pique the interest of some teams. Even though the Bucks’ 2019 first-rounder is committed to Phoenix, they could move their No. 17 selection this year — they’d just have to draft the player themselves, then officially complete the trade after the fact in order to avoid running afoul of the Ted Stepien rule.

Hassan Whiteside, DeAndre Jordan, Tristan Thompson, Robin Lopez, Jonas Valanciunas, and Mason Plumlee are among the highly-paid veteran centers the Bucks could inquire on. Dwight Howard also might fit the club’s price point, but probably isn’t eager for a reunion with Budenholzer after having his stint in Atlanta end poorly last year.

If the Bucks can’t find a trade that works, it’s possible they’ll turn to the free agent market and look for a lower-cost option with their mid-level exception. Brook Lopez, Kyle O’Quinn, and Dewayne Dedmon could be targets.

5. What will the Bucks do with the No. 17 pick?

While the Bucks could address the center spot with their first-round pick, there aren’t a ton of intriguing young centers who will be available after the lottery. And many of the ones expected to be on the board, such as Mitchell Robinson, would likely be projects who wouldn’t be ready to contribute right away.

If the Bucks keep their first-round pick, they might be better off adding a young player to their backcourt or wing rotation. Troy Brown and Zhaire Smith would be candidates if they’re still available. Boston College point guard Jerome Robinson, who is Milwaukee’s pick in Jonathan Givony’s most recent ESPN.com mock draft, would be another viable option, as would fellow point guard Aaron Holiday.

One prospect I’d have my eye on if I were the Bucks is Keita Bates-Diop. At 22 years old, he’s more ready than many other first-round prospects to compete for playing time right away, and his defensive versatility – and his ability to make outside shots – would make him a good fit on an athletic Milwaukee roster.

Here’s where things currently stand for the Bucks financially:

Guaranteed Salary

• Giannis Antetokounmpo ($24,157,304)
• Eric Bledsoe ($15,000,000)
• Khris Middleton ($13,000,000)
• Tony Snell ($10,607,143)
• John Henson ($10,577,466)
• Matthew Dellavedova ($9,607,500)
• Mirza Teletovic ($3,500,000) — Waived via stretch provision
• Thon Maker ($2,799,720)
• D.J. Wilson ($2,534,280)
• Spencer Hawes ($2,007,058) — Waived via stretch provision
• Larry Sanders ($1,865,546) — Waived via stretch provision
• Sterling Brown ($1,378,242)
  
• Total: $97,034,259
  

Player Options

• None

Team Options

• None

Non-Guaranteed Salary

• Brandon Jennings ($2,222,803)¹
• Tyler Zeller ($1,933,941)
• Malcolm Brogdon ($1,544,951)²
• Total: $5,701,695

Restricted Free Agents

• Jabari Parker ($4,333,931 qualifying offer / $20,347,176 cap hold): Bird rights
• Total: $20,347,176
  

Unrestricted Free Agents / Other Cap Holds

• No. 17 overall pick ($2,459,922)
• Shabazz Muhammad ($1,499,698): Non-Bird rights
• Jason Terry ($1,499,698): Early Bird rights
• Total: $5,459,318

Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000

Projected Cap Room: None

• While trades or cuts could open up some cap room for the Bucks, they’re far more likely to remain an over-the-cap team this summer. Their nine guaranteed contracts, plus Brogdon’s non-guaranteed salary, Parker’s cap hold, and the cap hold for their first-round pick bring the Bucks’ total team salary to $105,373,063, which is over the cap, but comfortably below the projected tax line.

Footnotes:

1. Jennings’ salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 1.
2. Brogdon’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 1.

Note: Rookie scale cap holds are estimates based on salary cap projections and could increase or decrease depending on where the cap lands.

Salary information from Basketball Insiders was used in the creation of this post. Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.