After another exciting season, the Milwaukee Bucks will probably make some changes to their team.
Every summer, one of the most pressing concerns is who the team will lose, whether via free agency or a trade. There are a few guys on the whole club that may depart this summer to play elsewhere. So, let’s look at three Milwaukee Bucks who could play somewhere else next season and fit that category.
Serge Ibaka might want to leave the Milwaukee Bucks during the NBA offseason of 2022.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ test with Serge Ibaka was a very strange one. The Bucks got the big man at the trade deadline in a big deal involving four teams. They gave Ibaka a lot of playing time, but all of his minutes went away when Brook Lopez came back from back surgery. It seems like they really brought Ibaka in as a backup plan in case Lopez had any problems in rehab, but once the center was cleared, Ibaka was demoted to being a spectator most nights, which may have upset him.
After spending half the season in Milwaukee, the 32-year-old is about to become a free agent. After a frustrating end to the season, it would be strange to see him back with the Bucks. As an unrestricted free agent, the big man will be able to see what else is out there. There are a few teams in the league that could give him a bigger chance and more money than the Bucks could. No one could blame the former NBA champion for wanting to leave Milwaukee after spending most nights on the bench.
Now, this would be a different story if the Bucks lost Bobby Portis. This offseason, Portis has to make a big decision about his player option. He is likely to opt out and at least try being a free agent. Re-signing Ibaka would make sense if he moved somewhere given his abilities, as he would have a defined position and opportunity. The big guy demonstrated he could be a terrific backup center for the Bucks this year, so if they needed one, he’d be their first pick. But right now, all signs point to the Bucks being very aggressive in their efforts to keep Portis.
Ibaka deserves a chance where he will actually play, so he could leave when free agency starts in a few months.
Jordan Nwora might want to leave the Milwaukee Bucks during the NBA offseason of 2022.
Jordan Nwora was picked in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. Since then, he has spent most of his time on the bench. The forward has earned time here and there, but hasn’t been able to break into the rotation. When he’s gotten a lot of playing time, Nwora has often made the most of it and shown signs of his potential. Other teams may be interested in getting him to find that potential.
In the 13 games that Nwora started for the Bucks last season, he showed how good he could be. During those games, he averaged a shocking 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in a long 34.9 minutes per game. The forward has proven to be a good scorer, mostly because of his great outside shot. In that time, he has made 41.7 percent of his three-point shots on 6.5 attempts per game. There are a lot of teams in the league that must be interested in what Nwora is doing, and at 23, he still has a lot of room to grow. A young-player-focused club like the OKC Thunder or Orlando Magic might help the forward further his career.
Milwaukee has a chance to keep Nwora next season because they made him a $2 million qualifying offer. Keeping Nwora would be a low-risk option for a cash-strapped squad, but he may benefit a change of scenery. On most nights, he doesn’t do much for the Bucks, and when he does, it’s because a regular player is out. This can be frustrating. He’s improving a contender, but he’s not playing, which is more significant. Several clubs may question the Milwaukee Bucks about Nwora this summer. It will be interesting to see how the Bucks respond.
George Hill might want to leave the Milwaukee Bucks during the NBA offseason of 2022.
After having difficulties at the position the year before, the Milwaukee Bucks signed George Hill last summer. Since he knew key players and Mike Budenholzer’s coaching staff, many thought Hill could stabilize the backup point guard position. During his second time with the Bucks, he never quite found his footing. His 2021-22 season was a complete disaster.
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Hill averaged 6.2 points per game, his lowest since 2008-09. This was mostly because he couldn’t shoot the long ball. This season, the veteran made only 30.6% of his 3-pointers, which was a career low. Hill was bad during the regular season, but he was even worse in the playoffs. In 76 minutes, he had six rebounds, five points, and three assists. With that kind of play, the Bucks won’t be able to win, so they should try to trade the veteran this offseason.
With a $4 million payroll for next season, Hill is simple to deal. Hill’s time as a solid player on a contender may end after this season. He may do best on a young squad that seeks an experienced player. The Bucks like Hill, but he’s not what they thought when they signed him and needs a change of scenery.
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