The Bucks appear to be in a good position to re-sign several of their key free agents, Marc Stein writes at Substack. Stein gets the sense that Khris Middleton‘s return to Milwaukee is “all but assured,” and says Brook Lopez seems to be leaning toward remaining with the Bucks too, despite the fact that he’ll draw interest from rival suitors like the Rockets.
Interestingly, Stein hears that Milwaukee is considered increasingly likely to re-sign forward Jae Crowder as well. A trade deadline acquisition, Crowder had a forgettable postseason, scoring just seven points and missing all six of his 3-point attempts in 41 total minutes of action. However, he was effective in 18 regular season appearances for the Bucks, who gave up several second-round picks to land him.
Here’s more from Stein:
- After he wrote earlier this week about the Rockets‘ interest in Fred VanVleet, Stein has been told by a “flurry of informants” that Houston is believed to be looking to sign the point guard to a two-year, maximum-salary contract. Such a deal would be worth just shy of $84MM based on the NBA’s latest cap projections.
- The latest rumblings Stein has heard suggest that James Harden will likely return to the Sixers on a two- or three- year deal and that Jakob Poeltl is expected to re-sign with the Raptors for about $20MM per year, whether or not VanVleet remains in Toronto.
- Veteran forward Yuta Watanabe and former NBA guard Mike James have been mentioned as potential targets for the Suns as they look to fill out their roster around their stars, says Stein. James, who has spent the past two seasons with AS Monaco, last played in the NBA in Brooklyn in 2021 and is close with Durant.
- Clippers forward Marcus Morris remains on the trade block after a proposed three-team deal that would have sent him to Washington fell through last week, Stein says.
True or false?
Rockets would be 12-15th seed If Harden resigns with 76ers
Last season
11th seed is Mavs
We are not getting Harden back in Houston but if FVV stays in Toronto even wonder who Rockets go after. I do not see Lopez leaving the Bucks. But I do not see us moving far this up coming season. But want at least 10 to 12 maybe. Wonder with Wemb if Spurs move well up. But not sure what Toronto could give FVV to stay
I’d prefer the rockets go after some of the less notable guys over some of the names they’ve been “linked to” and I wouldn’t be surprised if they are. I do think they may make serious offers for Reeves and/or Rui and maybe Cam, but I’d also like to see them go after Paul Reid and Gabe Vincent. I think those guys make a lot of sense for what the rockets need and they can be had on reasonable deals. I’d be cool with brook Lopez but I don’t see him leaving the Bucks. I also like the idea of adding Jordan Clarkson if he opts out because they need shooting/scoring help, especially off the bench.
Milwaukee Bucks might lose Jevon Carter but need to do everything in their power to resign Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez. Then they also need to bring Jae Crowder back.
Jae Crowder is so bad at this point. Why should they want him aside from sunk costs?
They need Carter ahead of Crowder but we gotta remember the coaching change may prioritize them differently
Marcus Morris Sr. will get moved this offseason because he already been moved but the Los Angeles Clippers backed out because they didn’t like Malcolm Brogdon medical situation.
Thats a bit misleading. Clippers didn’t have enough time to eval the way they wanted before the deadline for KP to opt in to his deal. It was more of a timing thing rather than a complete dismissal of Brogdon.
Lopez is a great addition for Rockets. He’s a good guy and can mentor the youth. Plus he fills a position of need. I said it long ago. Knowing he was a FA to be. If they really want him. They could overpay him. Though I still think he resigns for a chance at another ring. Bucks healthy and the same team. Is the team to beat in East.
Imo that’s too much for VanVleet. I think Amen will be a star. But Scoot will be a star. At a position Rockets desperately need. For next 15 yrs. I would have overpaid for that. Plus he gets a rookie contract for 5 yrs. Maybe Brook does sign then. Now this a young playoff team.
I give up Porter a future pick and the 4th pick. To move up and draft Scoot. Wasted opportunities lols ………
I agree with Al. Houston should have sold the Farm for Scoot. We shall see how it plays out.
I love me some Fred Vanvleet but in no way is he a max contract talent…
Houston can have him, $40M for Fred is lunacy
It’s the NBA…$$$s flow like a river. Sign ‘em to big, multi-year contracts this season…by next season you’re trying to attached draft picks just to salary dump ‘em. It’s the New World Order.
It would just be an overpay to bring in a real point guard which Kevin porter jr isnt
MIL won’t be the same team if they lose Lopez. He’s become an elite defensive 5, while being a floor spacer that’s as good as any 5 in the league. A hard combination to replace.
Let him leave. This team and city gave Van Vleet a chance when literally no other team wanted him. If he wants to chase every last dollar and cent he can get, good riddance. He owes Toronto and the Raptors way more than they/we owe him.