7 bold predictions for Milwaukee Bucks’ 2023 offseason

Once again, the Milwaukee Bucks face a critical offseason that will dictate their short-and-long-term future. Not only are their decisions many, but they are also significant.

They have six players under contract for the 2023-23 season–Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen, and MarJon Beauchamp–two guys with player options–Khris Middleton and Jevon Carter–and seven unrestricted free agents–Brook Lopez, Jae Crowder, Joe Ingles, Wesley Matthews, Goran Dragic, Meyers Leonard, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.

The franchise also faces increasing financial barriers, with the new CBA partially being implemented this offseason. Those rules punish teams like the Bucks for going over what’s called the second apron–a feat Milwaukee will certainly accomplish if they retain their key players.

With so much up in the air, let’s dive into seven bold predictions about how this offseason will play out.

Here are seven bold predictions for the plethora of difficult decisions the Milwaukee Bucks must make during the 2023 offseason.

Jevon Carter declines player option, re-signs with Bucks

Carter signed a one-year deal with the Bucks last offseason with an added player option for 2023-24 that would pay him $2.2 million if he accepts. It’s safe to say he outplayed that last season and rightfully deserves a raise.

He has to decide by June 29th, and I fully expect him to decline his option. He could test the market or return to Milwaukee, where new head coach Adrian Griffin wants to run a tailor-made defense for Carter. Griffin wants to up the intensity and ball pressure, two traits that are right in Carter’s wheelhouse.

Milwaukee has early bird rights on Carter, allowing them to go over the salary cap to re-sign him. A multi-year deal averaging around $6 million annually sounds reasonable for both sides.