Looking back at what the Milwaukee Bucks did right and wrong during the 2018 NBA offseason, including free agency and the draft
The Milwaukee Bucks did have a busy offseason, mostly because they had little-to-no wiggle room when it came to their salary cap situation, but it’s hard to deny that they made a few improvements this summer.
Despite losing in the first round of the NBA playoffs for the second-straight season (this time at the hands of the Boston Celtics, in a grueling 7-game series), there is hope that this could be the season the Bucks breakout. Even more so now that the Eastern Conference is wide open, after LeBron James taking his talents out West.
However, losing Jabari Parker certainly will hurt. But it was a move that needed to be made. Milwaukee simply can’t pay all their talented young players, and giving Parker the big money that he demanded on the open market was simply too much of a gamble.
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During the draft, the Bucks snagged Donte DiVincenzo out of Villanova. DiVincenzo is an interesting prospect that can shoot the lights out. He may not be ready to contribute right away, but could be a project that could pay dividends down the road, potentially during the second half of the season.
Milwaukee also signed Ersan Ilyasova to a three-year deal after his stint with the Philadelphia 76ers last season. He played well in the playoffs and proved that he can be a integral part of a playoff team. The hope is that he can fill some of the void that was left on the depth chart and off the bench with the Parker departure.
The Bucks also added Brook Lopez to their frontcourt, who has shown the ability to stretch the defense and is an above average scoring in the low post.
Perhaps the biggest improvement of the offseason for the Bucks came at the head coaching position, though. Adding Mike Budenholzer will prove to be the best move of the summer for the Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks have dark horse written all over them in the Eastern Conference.