Milwaukee Bucks: Complete grades for the 2019 NBA offseason

1. Retaining George Hill, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez

All of the transactions leading up to this trio were team-altering moves. Where there were holes to fill, new players were brought in to fill the cracks. In the case of George Hill, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, they acted as the foundation that was already standing tall.

At 33 years old, Hill returns on a three-year, $29 million deal. While that’s not a terrible deal for a backup point guard, it’s extremely risky. The potential saving grace in the contract is that the final year of it is only partially guaranteed.

Hill brings veteran leadership and playoff experience to a team that is in need of both.

Returning Middleton was probably the easiest decision Jon Horst and his staff made this offseason.

Signing for slightly less than the max (deal is for five years, $178 million), Milwaukee ensures its Robin to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Batman remains a Buck throughout his entire prime. All-Star caliber wings don’t grow on trees.

Bringing Middleton back into the fold was the only logical decision to make.

Lopez’s willingness to take a somewhat relegated role on offense and ability to protect the rim at a very high level parlayed into a four-year, $52 million contract. His game isn’t predicated on athleticism, so the deal should age gracefully.

Attempting 6.3 threes per game — and converting on them at a 36.5 percent clip — Milwaukee desperately needed Lopez’s floor-spacing abilities back for more deep playoff runs.

The only remotely questionable re-signing of these three is Hill. Having a quality backup point guard is one of the most important keys to depth in today’s NBA, though. Middleton’s price tag is high, but his return was necessary.

Lopez will be making $13 million per year until he’s 34 and will likely be generally the same player at that time that he is now.

Grade: B+