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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 cheap options in 2017 NBA free agency

By Josh Cornelissen

Mar 4, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Toronto Raptors forward P.J. Tucker (2) in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks beat the Raptors 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives for the basket against Toronto Raptors forward P.J. Tucker (2) in the fourth quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. The Bucks beat the Raptors 101-94. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Newly acquired Toronto Raptors forward P.J. Tucker (2) warms up before playing against the Boston Celtics at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Newly acquired Toronto Raptors forward P.J. Tucker (2) warms up before playing against the Boston Celtics at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. P.J. Tucker

P.J. Tucker is the quintessential NBA role player. He plays with a high motor, giving his all every minute he is on the court. Defensively he has size and length to allow him to battle with larger forwards, with the agility to defend on the perimeter. Offensively he can catch-and-shoot at a good, if not effective, level.

Tucker is the kind of player good teams want, but his current team — the Toronto Raptors — may not be able to hang onto him as they deal with a number of moving parts. Re-signing Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka could mean players such as Patrick Patterson and Tucker are left out. The Raptors’ loss will be another team’s gain.

While not a true floor-spacer, Tucker hit 35.7 percent of his three-point attempts. His quick hands on defense generated 1.4 steals per game. Defensively his teams were significantly better when he was on the court, to the tune of a +1.5 defensive plus/minus.

What P.J. Tucker is not is a two-way star on the wing, nor is he the answer to every problem a contender has. The Raptors were better for having him on their roster during the postseason (much to Milwaukee’s dismay), but he didn’t allow them to get over the LeBron James wall. Tucker fills a role, but he does not solve the puzzle.

While the Bucks lean on Antetokounmpo and their other rising stars to do that, Tucker could be a veteran presence in the locker room and another option on the wing. Tucker may look for more than Milwaukee can offer, but he would be in a great environment if his market doesn’t pan out and the Bucks are standing with a contract and designated role for him.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

While Tucker, Korver, Holiday or any free agent the Bucks can bring in is unlikely to mean the difference between contention and not, every signing counts in building a successful team. Milwaukee can use its limited resources to make smart moves on the margins and put together the best roster they can. July 1 is the next step in the never-ending process.

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