The Milwaukee Bucks just finished what was an inspiring season that ended with a first-round defeat to the Toronto Raptors. However, they had the Raptors rattled, taking a 2-1 series lead at one point. They also pushed Toronto to the limit in Game 6, nearly completing a 25-point comeback. The Bucks maximized their efforts this season, so what's next for this Young Team?
Their own free agents
The biggest free agent the Bucks must worry about is Greg Monroe. He has a player option of $17.8 million, which he is likely to decline. The most interesting part is that earlier in the season the Bucks were prepared to trade Monroe, but they kept him and started using him off the bench, a role Monroe gladly accepted and flourished in.
Suddenly, he has become a key component to the team’s success, so the Bucks have a major decision to make on him in the summer. Since they didn’t trade him during the regular season, it appears that the Bucks wouldn’t mind keeping him long term.
Spencer Hawes, who was acquired before the deadline, also has a player option, which should be declined as well. However, the Bucks may be unwilling to re-sign him since he wasn’t a factor for them. Michael Beasley will become an unrestricted free agent, and Milwaukee will hope to re-sign him to another bargain deal if possible. Tony Snell, meanwhile, has a qualifying offer, which he may not accept and instead demand more money as a restricted free agent.
The open market
Depending on what the Bucks do with their own free agents, they may have some spare cash to acquire a couple of veterans to add to the mix of young talent. They could perhaps pursue players such as J.J. Redick, Taj Gibson, or Ersan Ilyasova, all of whom won’t demand too much cash in free agency but would provide much-needed veteran leadership and experience.
Development of young guys and Jabari Parker’s health
Jabari Parker’s health is essential, as he was having a breakthrough year before tearing his ACL again. Parker was a major contributor until he suffered a season-ending knee injury. We have yet to see the three youngsters, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Parker all healthy at the same time for an entire year.
In addition to Parker’s health, the franchise must continue to develop its young talent, such as Middleton, Antetokounmpo, Thon Maker, and Malcolm Brogdon, who was a huge steal in the draft. All of these guys have plenty of potential, and they could become an intimating group of players in the near future.
Milwaukee’s future success mostly depends on the growth of the young guys, but bringing in more veterans to the mix is also vital.
