Nine Steps To A Perfect Milwaukee Bucks’ Offseason

Facing one of, if not the, biggest offseason in franchise history, the Milwaukee Bucks could be on the horizon of a number of roster-altering moves. It appears they are open to trading anybody not named Giannis Antetokounmpo, and exploring all avenues of improvement.

While general manager Jon Horst certainly has his hands full evaluating the pros and cons of any potential move, let’s lay out a blueprint to a perfect offseason for the Bucks. Admittedly, some of these moves may be wishful thinking and a best-case scenario for Milwaukee, but let’s just roll with it and have some fun. Here are nine steps to a championship-winning offseason for the Bucks.

Waive Ersan Ilyasova

With Ersan Ilyasova on the books for a fully non-guaranteed $7 million in 2020-21, he’s as good as gone. Milwaukee owners will need the payroll flexibility from a business standpoint considering the loss of revenue last season and expected loss in 2021 as well. Milwaukee has been looking for an upgrade at their backup 4 since trading for Nikola Mirotic at the 2019 trade deadline and Ilyasova was a non-factor in the postseason for two straight years. It’s time to move on.

Both Wes Matthews and Robin Lopez exercise their player options

Wesley Matthews ($2.7 million) and Robin Lopez ($5 million) each have player options they can exercise to remain in Milwaukee. Considering the unknown financial landscape for free agents, each vet opts in and returns as depth pieces for a championship-caliber team in 2021. Matthews provided valuable wing defense and adequate floor-spacing, and was probably underutilized by Mike Budenholzer in the playoffs. Although Lopez rode the pine in the second round, he’s necessary insurance in case the Bucks come across Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in the postseason.

Giannis Antetokounmpo signs Supermax extension

What could be better than Antetokounmpo signing his supermax contract extension? It would end the rumors and never ending clickbait articles about why your favorite team should trade for the reigning MVP. Although this is even less likely now considering the Bucks’ early playoff exit and the unknown about the salary cap, we can still dream.

Sterling Brown signs one-year restricted free agent tender, re-sign Frank Mason and Kyle Korver

These moves help address the bottom of the Bucks’ roster and give them some insurance in the case of injuries throughout the regular season. In search of an upgrade in role and salary, Brown hits (restricted) free agency at the worst time. He’s unable to solicit an offer from another team and accepts his restricted tender to return to Milwaukee before hitting a much healthier market next year. Frank Mason won the G-League MVP last year and Milwaukee gives him the opportunity to earn a spot on their NBA roster this time around. As for Kyle Korver, he returns for one final season. We all know he can still shoot the lights out, it’s just everything else that he’s missing.

Sign Danilo Gallinari with mid-level exception

Now we begin to get into the juicy portion of the offseason. Danilo Gallinari, once thought to be way out the Bucks’ price range, until his comments about winning a championship, is a perfect fit and would be a dream free agent signing. He can either play the small-ball 4 alongside Antetokounmpo or Budenholzer could go jumbo and insert Gallinari in at the 3. Either way, he’s a sharpshooter from the outside and someone who can create on his own a tertiary playmaker.

The mid-level exception is worth about $9.3 million this year, which is a significant pay cut from what Gallinari could get on the open market. Fortunately, if he wants to compete for the Larry O’B there aren’t many teams who have both cap space and legitimate championship aspirations.

Trade Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, Donte DiVincenzo and D.J. Wilson for Chris Paul

The Bucks need to make a splash this offseason and the best player available is Chris Paul. Paul had a tremendous season with the Oklahoma City Thunder and is as focused as ever to win that elusive championship. His acquisition would open up a whole new world called the pick-and-roll for Antetokounmpo and give the Bucks a proven playmaker at their point guard position. They have to give up a ton of depth in their backcourt in the form of Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and Donte DiVincenzo, but it’s necessary in their quest to win now.

Sign D.J. Augustin to bi-annual exception

In order to recoup some of their losses in the backcourt, they’re able to woo D.J. Augustin via the bi-annual exception worth $3.9 million. Augustin is a more than capable backup point guard and could even fill in as a spot-starter if Paul goes down with an injury. Augustin is more of a playmaker than Hill was and can create his own offense for the second unit. His defense will certainly be a step back, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Sign Marco Belinelli for veteran minimum

Still short on the wing, Milwaukee signs Marco Belinelli to the veteran minimum. Belinelli can play either wing position and is a knock-down shooter from behind the arc, making 37.6 percent of his threes throughout his career. This will provide Milwaukee with a more dynamic backup wing besides Korver, as Belinelli will also grind on defense to make up for his limited athleticism.

Draft Tyrell Terry

The final step to the perfect offseason is drafting a player who can help a bit this year while also playing into Milwaukee’s future plans. Tyrell Terry may seem like a luxury considering they already acquired Paul and Augustin, however, he’s the point of the future. Terry has elite range and potential playmaking skills in the pick-and-roll. It may be a stretch to see him fall all the way to 24 in the draft, but crazier things have happened.

Here’s a final overview of what the Bucks’ roster looks like after they’ve completed all nine steps (including one open roster spot):

Point: Chris Paul, D.J. Augustin, Frank Mason

Combo: Tyrell Terry

Wing: Wes Matthews, Kyle Korver, Marco Belinelli, Sterling Brown,

Forward: Khris Middleton, Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Big: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez, Danilo Gallinari, Robin Lopez