Hoops Habit
Fansided

A full guide to the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2022 offseason

By Jake Weinbach

HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks receives high fives from Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Bobby Portis #9 after a fast break dunk during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on December 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 10: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks receives high fives from Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Bobby Portis #9 after a fast break dunk during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on December 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Milwaukee Bucks
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 07: Wesley Matthews #23 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Jordan Nwora #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 07, 2022 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /

Guide to the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2022 offseason: Pending free agents

As of now, the Milwaukee Bucks have Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, Grayson Allen, George Hill, Rayjon Tucker (non-guaranteed), Luca Vildoza (non-guaranteed), and Sandro Mamukelashvili (two-way, non-guaranteed) on contract heading into next season. Thanasis Antetokounmpo has a $1.8 million player option, but he’ll likely return either way.

Besides Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton, the rest of the Bucks that were on the roster this year will be pending free agents. Milwaukee will have to decide whether or not to bring them back or explore other options in free agency.

Wesley Matthews

In his second stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, Wesley Matthews returned to the team this season and immediately had an impactful presence. Behind pure grit, toughness, and competitiveness, Matthews earned a spot in the starting lineup for the Bucks in the playoffs and held his own on the defensive end while shooting 40.0 percent from three-point range across the postseason.

Wes Matthews will now become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and has no plans of calling it a career. At 35 years old, the experienced wing was certainly worth signing to a veteran minimum contract this year, and it seems like a no-brainer to bring him back on the same deal.

Jevon Carter

In the later stages of the season, the Milwaukee Bucks picked up Jevon Carter to bolster the team’s backcourt depth after the Brooklyn Nets released him. Carter was efficiently productive when given his opportunities, especially during George Hill’s absence, but head coach Mike Budenholzer didn’t play him once Hill returned to the rotation in the playoffs.

Carter was an ideal fit in Milwaukee’s system, and the Bucks should look to re-sign him as the 26-year-old guard enters free agency.

Serge Ibaka

The Bucks acquired Serge Ibaka before the trade deadline to get insurance for Brook Lopez while the seven-foot center recovered from back surgery, but once Lopez returned to full strength, Ibaka disappeared from the rotation and didn’t play a single meaningful minute throughout the postseason.

If Ibaka returns to Milwaukee in free agency this summer, it would most likely be on a veteran minimum deal. However, it seems more likely that he’ll sign somewhere else, especially if Bobby Portis remains with the Bucks.

Jordan Nwora

Jordan Nwora will be a restricted free agent this offseason. The former Bucks’ second-round pick never became a consistent piece of Milwaukee’s rotation despite showing glimpses of potential at times. He’s a 23-year-old sharpshooter that will garner interest around the league, but the Bucks may not be interested in matching any substantial offers that Nwora receives once free agency hits.

Home/Milwaukee Bucks