Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Free Agency: Grading all 30 teams on signings and trades

By Josh Cornelissen

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors waves to his family during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors waves to his family during a game against the Sacramento Kings at Amalie Arena on January 29, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
18 of 31
Next
NBA Free Agency
NBA free agency Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images /

2021 NBA Free Agency Grades: Milwaukee Bucks

Key Additions: George Hill (2-yr, $8 million); Rodney Hood (1-yr, minimum); Semi Ojeleye (1-yr, minimum); Grayson Allen (trade)

Brought Back: Bobby Portis (2-yr, $9 million)

Key Departures: Bryn Forbes (San Antonio); Sam Merrill (trade to Memphis); PJ Tucker (Miami)

The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks have every right to celebrate and enjoy their title, but the NBA calendar never sleeps and the offseason comes around much faster than seems fair. That meant the Bucks had to make some difficult decisions about how to retain, reload and improve on their title squad.

For a small-market team like the Bucks paying the luxury tax is onerous, but to their credit, Milwaukee and its ownership group are not shying away from doing so in necessary ways to keep this roster strong. Tucker did leave for the Heat, but the Bucks feel that they replaced enough of what he brought defensively in Semi Ojeleye and instead focused on improving their shooting.

That is a good call to make. Ideally, the Bucks would have paid whatever it took to bring back Tucker and then added shooting, but at some point, even a team willing to spend has to count the costs. With a defensive core of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Jrue Holiday this team can field an elite defense while inserting some more offensively-minded players into the rotation.

George Hill returns to the Bucks after a one-year hiatus and is an instant upgrade on the likes of Jeff Teague as a backup point guard. The trade for Grayson Allen gives them another wing option who is a solid shooter and good enough defensively not to get burned; he’s an upgrade over Bryn Forbes who filled that spot a year ago. Rodney Hood likely doesn’t have anything left in the tank, but if he does he immediately fills a role.

Grade: B+

Home/NBA Free Agency