2019 Central NBA Free Agency Primer: Division with greatest potential for growth

6 of 6

Khris Middleton, OKC Thunder offseason and NBA free agency (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Milwaukee Bucks

Situation Entering Offseason:

For most of the past season, the Bucks experienced about as near perfect a run as a team could desire. Milwaukee suffered few injuries, landed atop the NBA with the best record and with Mike Budenholzer at the helm found an equally effective offense and defense to surround MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with.

They sailed through the first and second round of the playoffs facing an injury depleted, less talented Pistons squad and a Celtics team fraught with internal turmoil.

Upon reaching the Eastern Conference Finals things changed dramatically. Although a key piece of the puzzle (Malcolm Brogdon) returned Milwaukee was about to face the first true adversity of their entire season. In the Toronto Raptors, the Bucks came up against a team equally talented (only two teams to finish top five in the big three categories of offense, defense, and net differential) with their own MVP in Kawhi Leonard. Despite this, the Bucks who arrived well rested took Games 1 and 2. Then the wheels came off as they were swept the next four games in a row.

Part of the Bucks demise was due to the Raptors swarming defense and ability to lock down Giannis Antetokounmpo. Arguably, the other issue was a team facing this type of adversity for the first time in the postseason. Still, there is a reason to believe this team will only improve with their young superstar being just 24 and if they can bring back the majority of their core.

Salary:

Cap Space: $ (28,823,560.00)
Floor Space: $ (4,027,496.00)
Max Space: $ 34,701,788.00
Projected Space: $ 19,549,620.00

*as per Keith Smith of Real GM

Key free agents to re-sign:

More from Thunderous Intentions

The key to maintaining the team’s dominance in the East will require bringing back at least two and ideally three of their key free agents.

At the top of the list is Khris Middleton who is the secondary scorer to Antetokounmpo. Based on initial National reports that is a done deal where Middleton will receive the full five-year term on a max salary of $190 million (WOW).

Yet, re-signing Middleton isn’t enough it’s absolutely essential the Bucks bring back Malcolm Brogdon and Brook Lopez if they want to emulate their success next season and more importantly improve.

Two of the keys to their success are already off the table as Nikola Mirotic (who again Jon Horst gave up FOUR second-round draft picks for) is going to play overseas and the Bucks waived George Hill to free up salary.

Personally, I think so many clubs are going to come hard for both Brook Lopez and Malcolm Brogdon that the Bucks will find themselves having to commit to being in the luxury right away or risk losing ground.

Milwaukee could be one of those rare teams (happened in 2014-15 w/Cleveland) that start under the cap but finish in the luxury tax when the season ends. $13.4M in projected room but with the projected big contracts of Khris Middleton and Malcolm Brogdon waiting.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 29, 2019

2019 Roster Depth:

Giannis Antetokounmpo
Eric Bledsoe
Sterling Brown
Bonzie Colson
Pat Connaughton
Donte DiVincenzo
Ersan Ilyasova
Jon Leuer (acquired in trade that sent Tony Snell to Detroit)
D.J. Wilson

George Hill will reportedly become a free agent after being waived by the Bucks. (via The Athletic) pic.twitter.com/JdzZUlELFc
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 28, 2019

Draft Picks:

None

2019 free agents

Khris Middleton (formally opted out – Bucks intend to offer max)
Brook Lopez
Malcolm Brogdon (Restricted)
Nikola Mirotic (expected to play with Spanish Team)
Pau Gasol
George Hill (waived by Bucks)

NBA free agent Nikola Mirotic has decided to sign with Euroleague club Barcelona, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Mirotic was in the market for $45-50M total in contract in the NBA.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2019

2020 free agents

Pat Connaughton
Sterling Brown (Restricted)
Bonzie Colson

In closing, the Central Division will likely remain the middle performing group in the East but the numerous free agents of the Bucks and Pacers will have far reaching impact across the league.