1 best player Bucks must re-sign in 2024 NBA free agency

Another year, another early postseason exit for the Milwaukee Bucks. Even with the addition of superstar point guard Damian Lillard to alongside the elite duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, the Bucks failed to advance past the First Round of the NBA Playoffs for the second consecutive season despite being the higher seed.

Milwaukee’s big three will stay together for at least another two seasons. But with secondary players failing to step up, Bucks fans will have to wonder if this team will capitalize again during Giannis’ championship window — especially as the Bucks are among the oldest teams in the NBA. With the offseason underway, there is only one free agent the Milwaukee front office must re-sign as the team looks to find the right combination of players to fit in alongside the Greek Freak.

Bucks Free Agents

Six of the the Bucks’ seven top players in terms of minutes played in 2023-24 are currently under contract for 2024-25 and nine of the top 13. Notable free agents for the Bucks this offseason include Patrick Beverley, Jae Crowder, Malik Beasley, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.

Crowder — acquired from the Phoenix Suns for five second-round picks last season — is the most unlikely to return. The veteran only played 42 minutes during Milwaukee’s playoff series against Indiana, including two games where he did not see the floor. He looked slow defensively and struggled to consistently find his three-point shot. Crowder will be 34 years old when the 24-25 season tips off and is not worth an investment for Milwaukee.

Beverley and Beasley make more compelling points for returns to Milwaukee. Beasley led the team by shooting 41.3% from deep, though he was only 35.6% from beyond the arc after the All-Star Break. Beasley settled for a veteran minimum contract this season, but the 27-year-old is unlikely to sign for such a small deal moving forward. With his poor defense for Milwaukee, the Bucks should look elsewhere for their outside shooting.

As for Patrick Beverley, the three-time NBA All-Defensive Team honoree is coming off a solid playoff series (his 5.5 APG were better than any year in his career) but will be 36 by the time the season rolls around. Milwaukee will be in the market for younger, lankier options than Beverley.

This leaves only one player: Thanasis Antetokounmpo.

The case for re-signing Thanasis Antetokounmpo 

The case for re-signing Thanasis Antetokounmpo is very simple: his presence appeases younger brother Giannis. During his five seasons in Milwaukee, Thansis has averaged 7.7 minutes per game while playing in around half of the Bucks’ contests. Most of his time on the court came during garbage time. But as the last man off the bench, Milwaukee is not expecting much production out of the elder Antetokounmpo.

Thansis’ unofficial job is to keep Giannis as happy as possible. He helped convince Giannis to sign the three-year, $186 million extension that kept the MVP in Milwaukee through at least 2027 and acts as his brother’s biggest cheerleader on the sideline. He is also an energizer for the Bucks as a whole, providing infectious positivity.

Milwaukee’s playoff series against Indiana highlighted the shortcomings of the Bucks’ role players, as the Pacers’ depth easily took care of a short-handed Milwaukee lineup. It is time for the Bucks to overhaul their secondary players and find better fits to have around the core of their squad.

If Thanasis Antetokounmpo can bring out the best in the Greek Freak, then he is well worth the final spot on the Bucks’ roster.