At 11-17, the Milwaukee Bucks know that their present and future are both in major jeopardy.
When nine-time All-Star point guard Damian Lillard tore his Achilles tendon during the playoffs last spring, Milwaukee general manager Jon Horst sprang into action, opting to stretch and waive the future Hall of Famer’s $112.6 million salary for the next two seasons. The Bucks will now pay Lillard $22.5 million over the ensuing five years, which will free up the team’s cap somewhat in the short term but, obviously, will ultimately impede their roster-building flexibility over a longer period.
Horst used the new room to bring in 3-and-D rim-rolling big man Myles Turner, on a generous four-season, $108.9 million deal. Horst also signed vets Cole Anthony, Gary Harris and Amir Coffey to minimum contracts. Turner has struggled to find his footing in the Bucks’ offense, although he’s already a welcome menace defensively. Anthony has played a big role as a change-of-pace bench scorer.
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These new additions were brought in with an eye on convincing nine-time All-NBA power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to not demand a trade away from Fiserv Forum. The two-time MVP has been rumored to be unhappy as an also-ran in the Eastern Conference. His Bucks teams have been unable to advance beyond the first round in each of the last three playoffs.
Ultimately, it appears that the new moves haven’t been good enough to make Milwaukee a true contender once again. Heck, depending on how long Antetokounmpo is out with a relatively new calf strain, the team might even sink out of the play-in tournament picture.
The Bucks are presently the No. 11 seed behind the Chicago Bulls, and have gone an unencouraging 2-9 when Antetokounmpo doesn’t play. The losing could continue until Antetokounmpo makes his return to the floor.
Of course, Horst may have a few more tricks up his sleeve. Per a recent report from The Stein Line insider Marc Stein, Milwaukee has considered making a bid for former three-time All-Defensive Team guard Marcus Smart, now with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Marcus Smart is another defensive-minded guard whom the Bucks have looked at previously, sources say, but it’s difficult to see the Lakers making him available A) after securing Smart on a favorable deal via the buyout market and B) when they have their own point-of-attack defensive issues.”
Smart, like Antetokounmpo, is 31, seemingly breaking down a bit physically, and a former Defensive Player of the Year.
He has enjoyed an instant impact in LA, emerging as the team’s best perimeter ball stopper - even with all the wear and tear his body has suffered over the years.
Contract-wise, Porter’s $5.1 million salary mirrors Smart’s, although the latter remains the more desirable player thanks to his defensive prowess. Los Angeles has little need for another scoring guard, although perhaps a lottery-protected first-round pick would incentivize a move.
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