MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 27: Doc Rivers speaks as Jon Horst looks on during an introductory press ... [+]
For the Milwaukee Bucks, the sting of a first-round playoff exit has become an all-too-familiar sensation, one that’s echoed through the halls of the Fiserv
Before the Bucks cast their gaze outward in search of fresh talent, a period of introspection is due. The journey to elevation begins at home, starting with the front office and trickling down to the very last roster spot. Each decision, each move, holds the potential to shape the future of the team.
Jon Horst’s Future
The Bucks aren’t likely to actively look to move on from Jon Horst, but Horst could pursue other options this offseason, specifically the Detroit Pistons.
Horst, who holds the position of primary decision-maker for the franchise, has seen his influence decline in the past year. This is due to reports that Giannis Antetokounmpo preferred Adrian Griffin over Nick Nurse, and ownership selecting Doc Rivers over Kenny Atkinson.
Horst has longstanding ties to Detroit and could be enticed to take over a franchise that has a lot of assets in its cupboard. This potential move could be the catalyst for a series of significant changes in the Bucks’ offseason strategy.
Trade or Keep:
- Brook Lopez
- Bobby Portis
- Pat Connaughton
All three veterans are under contract for one more year in Milwaukee, with Portis and Connaughton holding player options for 2025-26. The Bucks will need to make individual decisions on whether to retain each player or explore different options. While they may not be invincible in playoff matchups, they can prove to be valuable assets in certain series and against specific teams. They could be traded independently or combined to try to acquire a bigger salary.
Re-sign: Pat Beverley
Beverley wasn’t perfect in Milwaukee, and his season ended on a sour note off the court, but he was a great fit with the Bucks. He brought an extra edge they needed, and his on-ball defense was also a game-changer. The Bucks shouldn’t bring him back as their lead defender, but he would be a great off-the-benches point-of-attack defender for them next season.
Free Agent Decision:
- Jae Crowder
- Malike Beasley
- Thanasis Antetokounmpo
It’s probably time for the Bucks to move on from Jae Crowder. He only returned because the Bucks fired Mike Budenholzer, but Crowder was benched during the playoffs for a second straight year. Bringing Beasley back on a veteran minimum would be nice, but he’s likely going to get a bigger contract from someone. Thanasis coming back on a veteran is the most likely scenario here.
Draft Picks:
- 23rd Overall
- 33rd Overall
The Bucks can either use each pick to add athleticism and infuse young talent into their roster, or package them to try to acquire a proven player. My money is on the latter, as Andre Jackson Jr., AJ Green, and MarJon Beauchamp can fill the role of young players with upside.
Needs to Address:
- Point of Attack Defender
- Ball-Handler(s)
- Athleticism
At the end of the day, these are the Bucks’ biggest needs. Bringing Beverley back will help their point of attack defense, but they need to add someone with more size and athleticism to take on that primary role. They can’t rely on a soon to be 36-year-old to fill that role.
As we saw in the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee needs another ball-handler or two. They could acquire a combo guard who can fill multiple needs above, but they need someone who can handle the rock. They were forced to rely on Connaughton and Beasley to initiate the offense last season.
There is a lot of talk on social media about the Bucks needing to get younger. Although youth isn’t a skill, they do need to get more athletic. Playing Jackson Jr. will help that, but Milwaukee needs to add more guys who can get up and down the court.
