Former Lakers, Celtics Player Named in Bucks Report

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt John | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 4:11 PM ET

All indications are that the Milwaukee Bucks are not making any seismic changes this offseason. In other words, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will stay put even after their playoff struggles for the last three years.

By extension, that means the Bucks will try to add some help. The Bucks face a tough task because Damian Lillard will likely be out for the entire season as he recovers from an Achilles tear. Milwaukee will turn to free agency to try to build a better team around Antetokounmpo.

Milwaukee has smartly managed their cap situation well. Trading Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma, along with Brook Lopez's contract off their books, could allow them to sign a big name on the free agent market this offseason with the midlevel exception.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst revealed that among the Bucks' targets is former Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics guard Dennis Schroder. Windhorst outlined how the Bucks' cap situation could allow them to sign Schroder to an expensive deal rather than a veteran's minimum.

"Rival teams suspect the Bucks will end up in the tax but keep their payroll below the $196 million first apron, which would open their ability to access more of the $14 million midlevel exception," Windhorst wrote. "They might need a large chunk of it for a starting point guard in place of Lillard, with the candidates including free agents such as Dennis Schroder, Tyus Jones and Malcolm Brogdon."

Dennis Schröder, Tyus Jones and Malcolm Brogdon are free agent targets to monitor for the Bucks, per @WindhorstESPN (https://t.co/B0F6AU4mnv).

Milwaukee plans to stay in win-now mode around Giannis Antetokounmpo while finding a temporary starter replacement for Damian Lillard. pic.twitter.com/bjlCF5BeKk
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) June 13, 2025

Schroder played for the Lakers twice, the first time during the 2020-21 season and the second during the 2022-23 season. Schroder played half of the 2021-22 season for the Celtics. He helped the Lakers much more than he did for the Celtics, as he helped them reach the Western Conference Finals in 2023.

He is also coming off a season in which he helped the Detroit Pistons have their best season in years. Even if the Bucks make a bid for him, the Pistons may not let him go.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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