What’s different about Giannis Antetokounmpo situation this offseason?
What’s different about the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation this offseason? Jim Owczarski discusses next moves for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks enter the 2025 free agency period with options at their disposal, thanks in large part to the midseason trade of Khris Middleton.
The Bucks managed to escape the punitive “second apron” restrictions they faced last summer and have the following options at their disposal as they can begin negotiating with players from other teams beginning at 5 p.m. on June 30.
The Bucks have access to:
$5.1 million bi-annual exception (BAE)$7.2 million trade exception$14.1 million non-tax level exception (NTLME)Who are the Bucks’ free agents?
Teams are allowed to negotiate with their own free agents after the conclusion of the NBA Finals.
Brook Lopez (unrestricted)
The 37-year-old just finished a 2-year, $48 million free agent contract signed before the 2023 season. Nearly matched a career-high by shooting 37.3% from behind the 3-point line while averaging 13 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
Gary Trent Jr. (unrestricted)
Signed last summer on a veteran minimum deal, Trent shot 41.6% from behind the 3-point line in 74 games while averaging 11.1 points per game. Shot 50% from deep and averaged 18.8 points per game in the Bucks’ playoffs loss to Indiana.
Taurean Prince (unrestricted)
Signed last summer on a veteran minimum deal, Prince finished third in the NBA in 3-point shooting at 43.9%. Played in 80 games (73 starts) and averaged 8.2 points per game.
Jericho Sims (unrestricted)
Need to know: The Bucks acquired Sims at the trade deadline from New York as part of the 4-team deal that landed them Kyle Kuzma from Washington. Sims played 14 games for the Bucks in the regular season and averaged 4.9 points per game. He missed the last four weeks of the regular season due to thumb surgery but returned for the playoffs.
Which Bucks have player options?
Note: Official paperwork must be filed with the league to pick up an option. No paperwork must be filed to decline the option, meaning the deadline can pass and the contract lapses.
Who are the Bucks’ restricted free agents?Ryan Rollins ($2.6 million qualifying offer, deadline June 29)
Here is the latest on Bucks free agent rumors:
Pat Connaughton picks up player option, could be part of a trade
Connaughton, 32, picked up his option and the Bucks will once again entertain trade options for the wing player. In his first full season under Doc Rivers, Connaughton played his fewest games (41), fewest minutes per game (14.7) and made his fewest three-point attempts (32.1%) since 2016-17.
A league source told the Journal Sentinel there was interest in Connaughton at last season’s trade deadline, but roughly $4 million left on last season’s deal plus this year’s $9.4 million option was a bit too rich for some teams.
Kevin Porter Jr. expected to opt out
HoopsHype, a USA TODAY Network property, reported that Kevin Porter Jr. is expected to opt out of his deal.
League sources also told the Journal Sentinel there is mutual interest between Porter and the Bucks to bring him back, however.
Bucks to reunite with Malcolm Brogdon?
ESPN reported the Bucks have interest in a veteran point guard to replace the injured Damian Lillard for 2025-26, including former Bucks Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon, 32, played for the Bucks from 2016-19 before being traded to Indiana. He was the league’s Sixth Man of the Year with Boston in 2023. He has played in just 63 games the last two seasons in Portland and Washington but shot 38.4% from the three-point line.
Bucks seeking veteran point guard help
ESPN added there is interest in free agent point guards Dennis Schröder and Tyus Jones. Schröder will be 32 years old when the season begins but he played well last season for three teams (Brooklyn, Golden State and Detroit). He is not a consistent three-point threat, however. Jones, 29, has shot 41% from behind the three-point line the last two seasons in Washington and Phoenix. Both guards are 6 feet, 1 inches.