What to Know: Milwaukee Bucks Bringing Back Serge Ibaka
By Paul Bretl
The Milwaukee Bucks have re-signed yet another member from their 2021-2022 team, bringing back big-man Serge Ibaka on a one-year deal, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
At this time, we don’t know what the contract details are, but this isn’t a signing that is going to break the bank by any means. It’s also important to note that Milwaukee holds the early bird rights for Ibaka, meaning that they can offer him a larger deal than other teams and also go over the salary cap in order to re-sign him.
In need of big-man depth, the Milwaukee Bucks acquired Ibaka via trade last season from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Ibaka played a relatively small role, appearing in 19 regular season games while averaging 17.8 minutes per contest, but he was effective on both ends when on the court and provided stability for the Bucks at the center position while they waited for Brook Lopez to return.
During that span, Ibaka averaged 7.0 points per game, along with 5.3 rebounds, while hitting 35.9% of his 1.9 three-point attempts each game. In the playoffs, Ibaka’s role would shrink, as he appeared in only six games — four against Chicago and two against Boston — averaging 3.7 minutes with nine total points and eight rebounds.
Admittedly, I didn’t expect Ibaka to be back, but it’s a move that does make sense. There is now familiarity with the Bucks and Coach Budenholzer’s system, and he provides an effective depth presence off the bench at center for what should be a low-cost contract–not to mention that while Bobby Portis filled in well when asked to be the big-man, that’s also fewer of those minutes that he will have to play during the regular season.
Although we will never know for sure, with a healthy Khris Middleton for the playoffs Milwaukee may have found themselves back in the NBA Finals. To some degree, the Bucks’ organization must feel similar as they are running it back, bringing back a large portion of last year’s team.
So far in free agency, Pat Connaughton and Thanasis Antetokounmpo both picked up their player options for the upcoming season. On top of that, the Bucks re-signed Bobby Portis, Wes Matthews, and now Ibaka, along with extending a qualifying offer to Jordan Nora. Milwaukee also added Joe Ingles as well in free agency.
With Ibaka back in the mix, the Milwaukee Bucks have just one roster spot open–although that could go to Nwora if and when he officially re-signs.