Assessing the Milwaukee Bucks needs ahead of NBA free agency
By Todd Welter
The Milwaukee Bucks value their culture and love to bring in high-character players. Culture and playing philosophy is one-way rosters get built.
The other way is looking at players in terms of how they fit the four basic roster-building buckets. In terms of roster building, this is how I see it after observing many teams’ rosters—NBA teams need the following to be a contender:
- A maximum of three superstar players: These are players you would consider among the top 25 players in the NBA. Also, players that are All-Star Game worthy or All-NBA team players. Finally, players that are considered for the US Olympic team.
- Five playoff rotational players: These are your other two starters and three main players off the bench that are going to get you through the season and into the playoffs. If it is the right combination of talent and skill, these are the players who help the superstar players win a championship. These are also the best role players who will play in the playoffs once rotations are shortened.
- Three rotational players that get you through the season: These are players that will help provide depth and get minutes throughout the season. They are also players who may not get a lot of playoff minutes.
- Five players to round out your final 17: These can be a mix of veterans who provide leadership (but get a lot of DNP-Coaches Decision), developing non-rookie players, rookies, and the two two-way contract players teams are allowed.
The Milwaukee Bucks head into the offseason with 11 players under contract and two players on two-way contracts. Portis is included in those 11 players assuming the reports are true that he will re-sign with the Bucks once he declines his player option.
The Bucks also have roster spot holds for Beauchamp and a possible roster hold for second-round pick Hugo Besson. That leaves the Bucks with just three–possibly four if Besson stays in New Zealand–open roster spots at this point.
That is not a lot of wiggle room for a roster with four needs but based on how the roster is constructed now; Horst might be able to address those four needs.