Rudy Gay is ready to lead the Bucks to the next level
The offseason was an eventful one for Dylan and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks welcomed in six rookies - five were drafted and one they traded for - and added a big name vet. Now, training camp is upon us and the season is approaching quickly. We'll take a look at each offseason acquisition individually, talk about who the Bucks lost this offseason, and preview what the rotation might look like come opening night.Offseason Acquisitions:
Julius Randle:
We'll start with the Bucks first draft pick, Julius Randle, whom the Bucks selected with the number four overall selection in the draft. Randle, a 6'9 power forward from the University of Kentucky, who the Bucks expect to shine from day one. The 19-year-old is most well known for his rebounding ability, as some scouts say he has the potential to be the very best rebounder in the CSL. Between Randle and Jarnell Stokes, the Bucks may very well have the best rebounding power forward rotation in the league. Randle is also a rock solid scorer who has plenty of upside as a post up player. The Bucks are thrilled to have this kid on board, and from what I've been told, they genuinely believe he's a star in the making. He's got the motor and ability, however, injury have been a major concern for Randle. Hopefully he can stay healthy and be the star the Bucks have been longing for.
Bruno Caboclo:
Bruno Caboclo, also a 6'9 forward, was taken with the sixth overall pick by the Bucks. The 19-year-old was perhaps the most mysterious player in the entire draft. While the Brazilian is considered very raw, many scouts believe he has the potential to be one of the very best wings in the entire CSL. One scout in particular told me he has "a little bit of Paul Pierce" in him as far as his ceiling goes. His floor, however? Well, if he never hits this potential that scouts believe he has, his floor is quite low as a fringe CSL bench warmer. Still, his ability to draw fouls and his terrific all-around potential was enough for the Bucks to trade up and select him with the sixth pick.Despite his rawness, the Bucks are expected to give Caboclo plenty of playing time from day one.
Kaleb Tarczewski:
With the first of their three 2nd round picks, the Bucks selected 7''0 foot center Kaleb Tarczewski with the 31st overall pick. Tarczewski, out of the University of Arizona, absolutely thrives on the defensive end. Kaleb's ability as a defensive anchor and rim protector was the reason he had many first round grades among scouts, and also what made the Bucks thrilled to grab him in the beginning of the second round. Tarczewski will most likely compete for the backup center job with Steven Adams.
Deonte Burton:
The Bucks added the talented Deonte Burton to their mix of young point guards with the 40th overall pick in the draft. Burton, who the Bucks praised for his ability to play both ends, played at the University of Nevada. Burton is rock solid on both ends of the floor, however isn't exactly the best distributor, causing him to get the label of "combo guard" and leading to his fall in the draft. The Bucks plan to play the youngster at point guard, however, and he is expected to get a shot in the rotation from day one.
Norman Powell:
Milwaukee's final draft pick may have perhaps been their best value pick. Norman Powell, the 6'3 guard from UCLA, had a late first round grade from some scouts. When the Bucks saw him dropping to them as pick #51 approached, they got both nervous and excited, with many discussions in their war room on whether to move up or not. In the end they didn't, and instead waited and prayed, and were able to get their man. Powell has gotten rock solid upside as a scorer and shooter, and the Bucks love his work ethic. He is expected to compete for the starting shooting guard spot in training camp.
Dez Wells:
The final rookie the Bucks brought in was Dez Wells out of Maryland. Wells, best known for his shooting, had many connections to the Bucks front office. Dez was acquired in a trade with the Phoenix Suns shortly after the draft, where the Bucks sent a future 2nd round pick for Wells' services. He is expected to spend some time in the D-League working on improving his game throughout the season.
Rudy Gay:
The last acquisition for the Deer this offseason was a surprise throughout the CSL. The Bucks brought in veteran forward Rudy Gay on a one-year max deal after Gay failed to receive the offers he was expected to receive. Gay is known as a terrific high profile scorer, with a solid all-around game as well. He will be the desperately needed go-to scorer the Bucks have lacked for a long time, as well as the veteran leader that every young time sorely needs.
Offseason Losses:
DeAndre Daniels failed to receive an offer from the Bucks this offseason
DeAndre Daniels:The Bucks biggest loss this offseason was wing DeAndre Daniels, whom the Bucks picked up early last season via free agency. Daniels' rookie season was a successful one for the only team that was willing to take a chance on him, as he averaged a rock solid 9.2 points and 3 rebounds per game. Still, despite his good play, the Bucks did not even speak to his agent about him this offseason. He did not find another home.
Nate Wolters:
Wolters had a nice season for the Bucks playing the role of backup point guard. He averaged just over 6 points and 1.5 assists per game, however, with the Bucks selecting Deonte Burton, Wolters did not receive any interest from the Bucks in signing a new deal. He also did not find a new home this offseason.
Miroslav Radujica:
Did he even play last season? I'm not sure. But he's a free agent and no one signed him.
Rotation:
Jonas Valanciunas is still the man in the middle for the Bucks
A couple quick notes about the potential rotation:Starters:
PG: Jordan Clarkson
SG: Hardaway/Caboclo/Powell
SF: Rudy Gay
PF: Julius Randle/Jarnell Stokes
C: Jonas Valanciunas
Bench:
PG: Langston Galloway
SG: Hardaway/Powell
SF: Caboclo/Dario Saric
PF: Julius Randle/Jarnell Stokes/Dario Saric
C: Kaleb Tarczewski/Steven Adams
- The battle for the starting shooting guard spot will be the Bucks' most intriguing training camp battle. As far as I've been told from coach Nate McMillan, the battle is as "wide open as possible."
- The "battle" for starting power forward between Julius Randle and Jarnell Stokes isn't much of a battle. The Bucks claim that Stokes will be given the chance to earn his starting spot back form last season, however that's not going to happen. If healthy, Julius Randle will start opening night.
And that's a wrap. The Bucks offseason was certainly eventful and it will be interesting to see how the new look team fares this season. While it is not expected to be as bad as last season, many around the league expect the Bucks to be one of the worst teams in the CSL. That might not be the worst thing to happen, however, as the Bucks get their first round pick back if they finish in the bottom eight.
2028
