For a contender, the Bucks had an abnormal amount of holes to fill heading into this offseason. While most of their disappointing first round loss to the Pacers in the 2024 playoffs can be chalked up to injuries to their three stars, it was also clear that their rotation needed a major shake-up. Guys like Jae Crowder and Pat Connaughton just weren’t cutting it. The team was clearly lacking energy on both ends of the floor as well as the type of lineup versatility it takes to win a championship in the modern NBA.
The problem is that the Bucks have a lot of money tied up into their core, and they have little flexibility to make moves without breaking up the group of guys that has had so much success together. General manager Jon Horst didn’t let that stop him, though. He absolutely cooked with the free agent class he brought in. Let’s take a look at each new signee and talk about why they all will make Milwaukee better.
Gary Trent Jr.
Milwaukee’s marquee signing was their last of free agency. By filling it with Gary Trent Jr., the team’s starting shooting guard slot went from a gaping hole of uncertainty to a legitimate position of strength. Trent Jr. has been a high-end rotation piece since his sophomore year in 2019-20. In 2021, he ranked 95th on the Bench Mob Blog’s top 100 player list. In 2022, he ranked 85th.
Trent Jr.’s biggest strength is his scoring. In four seasons with Toronto, he averaged 16.4 points per game. He’s more than capable of heating up in a hurry, especially from outside. Bucks fans are likely all too familiar with that part of his game, as he’s had some big time performances against them in recent years, including a season high 31-point outing on April 5th.
In 2023-24, Trent Jr. ranked in the 86th percentile of BBall Index’s perimeter shooting metric. For his career, he’s a 38.6% shooter from deep on 6.4 attempts per game, a super impressive output. He can hit a wide variety of shots including pullups and off-screeners. He does everything good that Malik Beasley did, but better. With his flamethrowing ability, it’s very easy to imagine Trent Jr. fitting next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Those two juggernauts require all five defenders to pay attention to them which will open up countless easy looks for a hungry Trent Jr. to feast on.
He’s more than just a one-dimensional sniper though. He’s a quality mid-range shooter off the bounce with a little bit of driving juice, too. When the threat of his three ball attracts tight closeouts, Trent Jr. is more than ready to attack them. He’s not a solidified three-level guy, but he has enough diversity to his game to escape the specialist title.
You know what you’re getting with Trent Jr. offensively. Defensively, though, things are both murky and intriguing. He has had some standout defensive campaigns in the past, specifically in 2021-22 where he ranked in the 85th percentile of BBall Index’s on-ball perimeter defense metric. He is one of four players in the last three seasons to record 500+ three-pointers and 300+ steals (thanks to @statswilliams on X for that stat) and is a total ball hawk. The effort and impact on that end have both been inconsistent throughout his career, but history suggests he has some dawg in him. In a smaller offensive role on a team with a defensive-based culture, Trent Jr. could buy in and become a defensive ace.
On-court stuff aside, the most exciting part of this signing is that the Bucks were able to get Trent Jr. for the minimum. This is pretty much the best case scenario for a team with so little money to spend, and it proves that Milwaukee has some real pull as a free agent destination, or that Damian Lillard is really good at recruiting (he was teammates with Trent in Portland). Overall, this acquisition is enough to make this an A+ offseason on its own. That’s why it’s crazy that there’s more to Horst’s masterclass.
Delon Wright
The Bucks uncharacteristically struggled mightily on defense this past season, something that needs to be different in 2024-25, as it’s impossible to win a championship without a formidable fortification. Delon Wright alone could turn things around significantly. He’s one of the most underrated perimeter defenders in the sport.
Wright’s standout quality is his defensive playmaking. His 2.7 steals per 75 possessions in 2023-24 graded out in the 99th percentile, and he also racked up a respectable 0.64 blocks per 75 (59th percentile). He uses his catlike reflexes and 6’7” wingspan to wreak havoc and blow up plays. He’s also very capable guarding the ball. The guy just looks quick and energetic out there, something that can’t be said about many of Milwaukee’s other role players. A duo of him and Andre Jackson Jr. is sure to be a blast to watch on defense.
Offensively, Wright plays a combo guard role. He’s a trustworthy ball handler who rarely turns it over. He ranked in the 96th percentile of passing efficiency this past season (via BBall Index). He’s not a high volume scorer, but he can apply some rim pressure and hit catch-and-shoot threes. He’s shot 43.4% from deep for his career in the playoffs. The veteran won’t wow you on O, but he won’t catch your eye for the wrong reasons either.
Overall, this is another phenomenal value signing, as Wright will be making the minimum next season and he is ready to play big minutes in big games.
Taurean Prince
Not every signing is a real needle mover, and it doesn’t need to be that way. Taurean Prince is a rock solid, battle tested forward who can fill the role Jae Crowder was supposed to fill in Milwaukee’s rotation. Offensively, he’s a reliable catch-and-shoot threat. In his last four seasons, he shot 40.0%, 37.6%, 38.1%, and 39.6% from three, respectively. He does most of his damage from the corner and he’ll be ready to knock down shots off kickout dimes from Giannis. Defensively, he has the frame of a wing stopper and will be able to pull his weight. He’s not locking anyone down, but he’s not a liability at all and filling the lineup with players like that will go a long way for Milwaukee in improving their defense.
Prince has been a trusted piece for multiple playoff teams in recent years (Nets in 2020, Timberwolves in 2022 & 2023, and Lakers in 2024), and he’ll be able to be the same for the Bucks.
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With the resources they had, it’s tough to imagine the Bucks having a better free agency than they did. All three of Gary Trent Jr., Delon Wright, and Taurean Prince are ready to step in and make an impact. And for all the Bucks fans who have felt frustration and disappointment with their team in the last couple seasons, that’s something to be very excited about.
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