Bucks turn attention to roster as Middleton, Dudley decisions loom
ST. FRANCIS, Wis. -- After making a 26-game improvement to finish 41-41 in 2014-15, the Milwaukee Bucks must now turn their attention to what will be another important summer for the franchise.
The Bucks have some sort of control over 14 of 15 players currently on the roster. Forward Jared Dudley is the lone exception, as he can opt for free agency by turning down a $4.25 million player option for next season.
Khris Middleton is Milwaukee's only free agent, but he is restricted, meaning the Bucks can match if he signs an offer sheet with another team after free agency opens July 1.
"I hope to be back here," Middleton said. "I feel like we have a great young team going in the right direction. I would love to be a part of that here.
"I definitely feel like everybody wants me back here. But at the end of the day, it's a business so you have to make the right decision for you. I'd just love to be here."
Having shown fast improvement over the past two seasons, Middleton is viewed as an important piece to the puzzle by the Bucks. But how much will they be willing to pay? It is a mystery as to what the 23-year-old will get on the open market, especially considering he brings a rare mix of pure shooting ability and defensive versatility due to his length.
"On my watch, hopefully things are black and white," Bucks head coach Jason Kidd said of Middleton's restricted free agency. "You are here or you are not. It doesn't have to be a mess. It can be enjoyable and fun.
"We'll see when July 1 comes."
Dudley set the odds of his return to Milwaukee at "80 to 90 percent," even if he decides to decline his player option.
"All signs are for me to come back here -- even if I did opt out -- just because I think my value here is at a high," Dudley said. "Even though me being a vet I could play for a contending team, I think this has been my gratifying season just because we took a team from 15 wins to 41 wins.
"I was here for the beginning of it. I was here to help it. It is different than going to a contending team. I think it is hard for Milwaukee to find players that want to come here and be role guys. That is value you might not see."
If Middleton is back in the fold, the Bucks return all five members of the lineup that started all six games of their first-round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls. Add in a healthy Jabari Parker and there's reason to be optimistic without any other changes.
But don't expect Milwaukee to stand pat.
First, the Bucks will pick at No. 17 and No. 46 in the draft. Athletic forwards like Alabama's Bobby Portis, UCLA's Kevon Looney or Arizona's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson may be available in the first round, as could Wisconsin center Frank Kaminsky.
"I'll just start listening to (general manager John) Hammond and those guys about the draft," Kidd said. "I'll just listen to see what happens. Then we'll talk about free agency and guys we want to try to go after.
"I have no idea who does what (in the draft). They will fill me in. That's their field. That's where they will make the decision. My job is to circle names for free agents that we feel can make this team better."
As of right now, Milwaukee returns Michael Carter-Williams, Tyler Ennis, Jerryd Bayless and Jorge Gutierrez at point guard, O.J. Mayo at shooting guard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damien Inglis at small forward, Parker, Ersan Ilyasova and Johnny O'Bryant at power forward and Zaza Pachulia, John Henson and Miles Plumlee at center.
The Bucks will have somewhere around $15 million in salary cap space, not including potential contracts for Middleton and Dudley.
Mayo, Ilyasova, Bayless and Henson could emerge as potential trade candidates, as they are entering the final years of their current contracts.
It is a long shot the Bucks will be major players on the free-agent market, but their biggest needs include an inside presence at power forward or center and a shooter capable of stretching the defense.
Some of the top unrestricted free agents at power forward and center include Memphis' Marc Gasol, Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge, Los Angeles' DeAndre Jordan, Atlanta's Paul Millsap, Detroit's Greg Monroe and Dallas' Tyson Chandler.
Cleveland's Kevin Love and Brooklyn's Brook Lopez are likely to decline player options to become free agents.
"We have the pieces we feel to get better, but there are always other pieces out there to get better, pieces that are an upgrade and you think fit," Kidd said. "I think our owners are not scared to change to get things better. We're always going to be looking to get better in free agency and with trades. That's something that will bring excitement this summer.
"There are a lot of people interested (in coming to Milwaukee). It will be if we have enough room."
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