The 2024 NBA offseason is an important one for the Milwaukee Bucks. They could have several key players that need to be replaced given their standing as an over-the-apron team. That could mean veterans Patrick Beverley, Jae Crowder and Malik Beasley being on the move.
The Milwaukee Bucks mortgaged their future during the 2023 offseason acquiring Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers. Short of trading him away and restocking the roster that way, there will be challenges to bringing in talent.
Bench depth, in the opinion of ESPN’s Bobby Marks, is the team’s biggest need. That, along with coaxing the playoff version of Khris Middleton, who produced at a high level, out more consistently during the season.
“The playoff version of Middleton and bench depth. Middleton averaged a playoff-career-high 26.2 points but played in only 55 regular-season games, averaging 27.2 minutes and 15 points,” Marks wrote.
For the Middleton part of the team need, just being healthy would go a long way. He was in and out of the lineup throughout the season which certainly contributed to the lack of chemistry and cohesion on the court at times.
The Milwaukee Bucks have to make sure they don’t overextend their veterans during the regular season, but Middleton is certainly capable of playing more than 27.2 minutes per night and providing more than 15 points.
His health would also directly impact the team’s bench depth. Having to consistently replace him in the starting five means someone from the second unit needs to move up in the pecking order.
That puts a lot of strain on the coaching staff, as the Milwaukee Bucks’s depth isn’t great. Developing some of the younger players on the roster, such as AJ Green, MarJon Beauchamp and Andre Jackson. They also have two picks in the 2024 NBA Draft to help round out the roster, picking at Nos. 23 and 33.
Or, the team can use that draft capital, along with a 2031 first-round pick, to swing a trade on draft night. Something will have to be done, because as long as Lillard and Antetokounmpo are on the roster, the team will be in win-now mode.
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