Milwaukee Bucks 2021 offseason review: Trades, free agents, roster
The Milwaukee Bucks ended the 2021 NBA season on the ultimate high note, winning the NBA Championship. As glorious as it was, Giannis Antetokounmpo and company were heard immediately talking about winning another one. Like during the trophy presentation after their decisive Game 6 immediate.
As Bucks’ fans basked in the glory of a title this summer, the team went right to work trying to position themselves to go back-to-back. Pending the health of some crucial teams–looking at you Brooklyn Nets–it could be a lot more difficult this time around.
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, however, let’s review who the Bucks lost in free agency, who they signed, the trade they made, and what their current roster looks like.
Let’s review all of the trades, free agent signings and other roster moves the NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks made over the offseason.
Free-agent departures: PJ Tucker, Bryn Forbes, Jeff Teague
Tucker is obviously the biggest loss here, and the biggest loss they had all offseason. He gave Milwaukee another elite defender that helped them match up with Kevin Durant in the Eastern Conference semi-finals and then with the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Championship. He signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Miami Heat–a figure Milwaukee was not willing to match considering their salary cap implications. It’s a disappointing loss, but we’ll have to see what the already 36-year-old Tucker has in the tank over the next two years.
The loss of Forbes and Teague will be far less consequential for Milwaukee. Teague wasn’t good as the backup point guard–an area Milwaukee upgraded in the offseason–and Forbes’ defense kept him off the court deeper into the playoffs.
Trades: Sam Merrill and two future second-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies for Grayson Allen
Milwaukee acquired Grayson Allen from the Grizzlies as insurance in case Donte DiVincenzo’s recovery doesn’t go as planned. Allen is a guy who can do a bit of everything for Milwaukee as a combo guard/shorter wing. He’ll knock down threes, make plays off the bounce and be a nice complementary player to the Bucks’ stars. It should also be noted Milwaukee acquired those two future second-round picks when they traded out of the 31st pick and deep into the second round.
Free-agent signings: George Hill (two years/$8 million), Tremont Waters, Rodney Hood (one year/$2.2 million), Semi Ojeleye (one year/$1.8 million)
Milwaukee brought back Hill a year after trading him away as part of the Jrue Holiday deal. Hill will be a clear upgrade over Teague at the backup point guard position and will even be able to play alongside Holiday. He understands his role on both ends of the court and will give them another above-average defender.
Hood is a bit of a wildcard. He tore his right achillies tendon in December of 2019 and hasn’t really been the same player since. He only averaged 4.5 points and shot 30.1 percent from downtown last year–both career-lows. He could earn some incredibly valuable wing minutes if he can return closer to his pre-injury form. Ojeleye also has the opportunity to carve a role as the ninth or tenth guy. Don’t expect much from Waters.
Draft picks: Sandro Mamukelashvili (54th pick) and Georgios Kalaitzakis (60th pick)
Milwaukee selected two players with very particular skills in this draft, but don’t expect much of anything from either guy. Mamukelashvili is the more interesting one to watch. He’s a big who can handle the rock and create shots for his teammates. Otherwise, not much to see here.
Current Roster:
- Guards
- Jrue Holiday
- George Hill
- Tremont Waters
- Wings
- Khris Middleton
- Pat Connaughton
- Donte DiVincenzo
- Grayson Allen
- Rodney Hood
- Elijah Bryant
- Jordan Nwora
- Georgios Kalaitzakis
- Forwards
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Semi Ojeleye
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo
- Mamadi Diakite
- Sandro Mamukelashvili
- Bigs
- Brook Lopez
- Bobby Portis