7 wings Milwaukee Bucks should target in 2022 free agency
The Milwaukee Bucks have a few decisions to make on the wing this offseason, including whether they need to add someone via free agency.
When Khris Middleton went down in the playoffs, the loss was extremely evident in the second round when the Bucks lacked the size to consistently compete with the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. His absence left the team reliant upon the likes of Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton and Wesley Matthews–solid role players, to be sure, but not guys who can carry a team in the playoffs.
Connaughton surprisingly accepted his player option for the 2022-23 campaign and Allen’s contract extension kicks in. Milwaukee will probably also bring Matthews back on a veteran minimum deal after his resurgence last season.
Still, they need to look at adding at least one more capable player on the wing. After checking out forwards and guards, let’s peep seven wings who the Bucks should consider signing either using a veteran minimum contract or their $6.4 million taxpayer mid-level exception.
With 2022 free agency right around the corner, here are seven wings the Milwaukee Bucks should look at signing to their team.
Damion Lee
Not the most exciting of additions, Damion Lee’s scoring efficiency took a major hit last year, as he recorded his lowest effective field goal percentage since his rookie campaign. However, he has three years of being acceptable from behind the arc on pretty good rates. He’s also a little smaller than the Bucks would like, but he could be an end-of-the-bench type player used in emergencies only.
Jeremy Lamb
Jeremy Lamb brings a little bit more of a scoring punch than Lee, especially when it comes to creating his own shot. The Bucks wouldn’t want him doing too much of that, however, as he hasn’t proven to be efficient in that area. Still, Lamb could be an option for Milwaukee in case Matthews hits that wall we all thought he was stuck on before last season.
Avery Bradley
The jury continues to rage about Avery Bradley’s actual value on the basketball court. Some fans think he’s absolutely worthless due to his 6-foot-2 frame on the wing and porous scoring numbers. However, he continues to get chance after chance in the NBA, as some feel he’s a great defender who can lock down multiple positions. He’s also shot right around league average from the three-point line over the last couple of years.
Danuel House
Danuel House is yet another veteran minimum candidate on this list. He has better size than a lot of guys on this list–a trait the Bucks are likely prioritizing. He also competes on the defensive end of the court while providing above-average shooting from the three-point lines. There are worst options on this list and across the free agent landscape Milwaukee could target.
Amir Coffey
Similar to House, Amir Coffee has battled just to get to this point in the NBA. His path hasn’t always been certain, but he’s hung in there and continues to prove himself worthy. He’s got good size, can knock down threes, and is earning his spot in the NBA.
Cody Martin
We are probably out of the players who will take vet min deals now, as Cody Martin had a breakout season with the Hornets last year. Charlotte should keep him but Michael Jordan is proving to be one of the stingiest owners in the NBA and they have other priorities to figure out. He’s another grinder who will work on both ends of the court and has proven he can do a little bit of everything.
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Gary Harris
It’s been an up and down career for Gary Harris who has spent the last year and a half in Orlando playing for the lowly Magic. The good news is he’s quietly turned himself into an above-average shooter and still has the athleticism that made him a first-round pick back in 2014. He’s still just 27-years-old, and although he’s probably not big enough for what the Bucks are looking for, he could help them in many other ways.