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7 important dates to know for Milwaukee Bucks 2022 offseason

By Brian Sampson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 07: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks instructs his team against the Brooklyn Nets in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 07, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 07: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks instructs his team against the Brooklyn Nets in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on June 07, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks entered the offseason earlier than they were hoping for, but the rest is well-deserved. After one of the shortest offseasons in NBA history a season ago, Milwaukee will have more time to rest and recalibrate.

That’s hardly a consolation prize, but the truth is the Bucks have some work to do with their roster if they want to win another NBA Championship.

Milwaukee has to start with their own players–Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis have player options, while Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton are extension eligible this summer. They also have a number of tools to improve their roster, and we’ll see how they use them. For now, let’s check out some important dates to know over the summer.

With the NBA Playoffs wrapping up and the Milwaukee Bucks eliminated, here are seven important dates to know for the 2022 offseason.

June 21st: Thanasis Antetokounmpo player option decision

Antetokounmpo has a player option for $1.9 million that he must make a decision on. There isn’t a market for his services across the NBA so he should accept this and continue playing his role at the end of the Bucks’ bench.

June 22nd: Pat Connaughton player option decision

Connaughton is in a completely different boat. He could get much more than his $5.7 million player option for 2022-23 and will leverage that to get a better contract from the Bucks. Expect him to opt-out and then re-sign with Milwaukee around the $10-12 million range. A nice come-up, to be sure.

June 23rd: NBA Draft

The Bucks currently hold the 24th overall pick in the draft (they had to forfeit their second-rounder due to the failed Bogdan Bogdanovic trade fiasco) and aren’t able to trade it until Draft Day. They desperately need some young and cheap talent on their roster and could try their hand with a rookie.

June 29th: Bobby Portis player option decision

Portis posted a heartfelt video on Twitter thanking Bucks’ fans, and we can only hope that wasn’t a final goodbye. He agreed to return on a cheap deal last offseason and the most Milwaukee can offer him is a starting salary up to $10.9 million and four years. He could probably get more than that on the open market.

June 29th: Jordan Nwora qualifying offer decision

Nwora has shown he can be a microwave scorer in the NBA, but he struggles with his shot selection and all-around defensive ability. Still, he could turn into a role player if Milwaukee were to give him a chance–we’ll see how they feel about him and whether they make a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent.

July 1: Free agent moratorium period begins

Teams can officially tamper with free agents on July 1 and begin discussing contract terms.

July 6: Moratorium period ends. Free agency officially begins. 

All deals can become official beginning on July 6.

Next. 4 tools the Milwaukee Bucks could use to improve their roster. dark

July 7-17: Summer League

The Bucks will have to pull together a Summer League squad for this year’s event. Considering they don’t have many young players on the roster, this isn’t always the most exciting offseason event for the franchise.

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