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Milwaukee Bucks: Will They Re-Sign Steve Novak?

By Kenneth Teape

Oct 13, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Steve Novak (16) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 102-89. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Steve Novak (16) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at EnergySolutions Arena. The Jazz won 102-89. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Milwaukee Bucks have yet to re-sign Steve Novak, but it seems a matter of when not if that he will be retained.

The Milwaukee Bucks had a relatively quiet offseason, as they weren’t in the running for any of the big named free agents this summer as they were last summer.

The biggest news surrounding the Bucks this offseason was their efforts trying to trade Greg Monroe, their biggest prize from last year.

The Bucks made smaller signings, bringing in Matthew Dellavedova and Mirza Teletovic to strengthen their second unit. Both players bring some court spacing ability and will strengthen the bench for the Bucks.

Three-point shooting was a weakness fro the Bucks last season. They ranked 21st in percentage at 34.5, making the least three-pointers per game at 5.4. Both Dellavedova and Teletovic will help raise that percentage and another player that would help is Steve Novak.

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That is why the Bucks signed Novak in February. Novak is a 43.1 percent three-point shooter in his career and would help any team in that department. But, he played in only three games for the Bucks last season.

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A sprained MCL in his left knee in the third game with the team knocked him out for the remainder of the season.

Despite that setback, there was mutual interest in a reunion occurring this offseason. The Bucks wanted Novak back, and Novak wanted the Bucks. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that it would eventually happen.

But, here we sit at the midway point of August, and Novak is still a free agent.

Could this mean that feelings have changed? Novak has reportedly drawn interest from other teams in the NBA. That could have him changing his mind, but that does not seem to be the case.

Novak’s agent, Steve Bartelstein, said there are other teams showing interest, but Milwaukee is where his client wants to stay.

"“There have been a few teams that we’ve talked to; you always got to keep your doors open.But we’re still talking with the Bucks and, hopefully, we’ll make a deal with them. Steve would love to stay in Milwaukee. It’s a very special place for him.’’"

It is clear that Novak wants to stay in Milwaukee, and the feeling is mutal. Back before free agency and the draft, Bucks co-owner Jamie Dinan indicated that he would like to bring Novak back. But, thus far, there has not been any movement on the Novak free agency front.

Why a deal has not gotten done yet between two sides that are interested in working together again is unclear at this point. The Bucks currently have 13 players under contract, so there is room to add sign Novak and another player if they so choose.

Re-signing with the Bucks has been Novak’s goal all throughout the offseason, as Milwaukee is where he wants to be. Novak went to Brown Deer High School in Milwaukee and then attended Marquette University.

The Bucks were the ninth team Novak played for in 10 NBA seasons. While he does not have gaudy career stats, averaging only 4.7 points and 1.3 rebounds per game, Novak is a deadly three-point shooter. He is hoping he can keep that sharpshooting in Milwaukee for the 2016-17 season.

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But, if the Bucks have changed their mind about retaining him, he shouldn’t find it difficult to find a new team.

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