Grading the 2019 NBA offseason for all 30 franchises

Milwaukee Bucks

The 2019 offseason was never going to be about what the Milwaukee Bucks could add to their team.

Coming off a league-leading 60-win campaign with a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, the pressing issue was more about how much of that same core would be brought back into the fold.

Five of their most eight used players would hit the open market. Ironically enough, it was the one restricted free agent, Malcolm Brogdon, who the team deemed too expensive to keep, dealing him to Indiana in a sign-and-trade that netted a first and second-round pick.

Replacing Brogdon is no easy feat. He provided Milwaukee a secondary ballhandler with quick feet and a 6’10.5″ wingspan that made him a nightmare for opposing defenses.

In signing Wesley Matthews, the Bucks don’t get Brogdon’s playmaking skills, but they do get an aggressive defender and career 38.2 percent outside shooter.

The Bucks wound up losing Nikola Mirotic as well to a lucrative deal from Barcelona.

They gave up four second-round picks to acquire him at the deadline, but after shooting just 37.8 percent from the field and 28.9 percent from distance during the playoffs, the front office was better off spending their money elsewhere.

Spend the money they did. Khris Middleton was given a five-year max deal worth $178 million. It may have been an overpay for the breakout star, but it was a necessary transaction to keep the core in place.

The all-important stretch-5 Brook Lopez got a well-earned $52 million over four years. Three-and-D guard George Hill was given a three-year deal worth $26 million.

Milwaukee may have fallen just short of a trip to the NBA Finals, but that loss only signals the beginning for a burgeoning contender.

Bringing back most of that same team — along with Robin Lopez to fortify the middle and Kyle Korver to stretch the defense even further — ensures that the Bucks remain on the same track of building towards a championship.

Grade: B+