3 early Bucks NBA free agency targets in 2024 offseason

Three-point shooting

Malik Beasley is a free agent this offseason. Beasley led the team by shooting 41.3% from deep on the year on 6.9 attempts per game (second only to Damian Lillard). But Beasley was a streaky shooter, hitting 44% of his three-pointers before the All-Star break and just 35.6% after the festivities in Indianapolis. Beasley was one of two Bucks players, along with Bobby Portis, who finished in the top 75 in three-point percentage this year.

Center who can defend the pick-and-roll

Brook Lopez still has value as a three-point shooter and rim-protector, but Indianapolis exposed the veteran center defensively by forcing him to defend the pick-and-roll. Lopez lacks the quickness to survive in the P&R, and his drop defense forced other Bucks defenders to help  — thus creating open three-point shots for the Pacers. This could be a need the Bucks address in the draft, but a free-agent pickup is not out of the question.

Bucks Free Agents Targets

Taurean Prince (SF), Los Angeles Lakers

After the Pacers’ role players out-played the Bucks’ secondary guys in the First Round playoff series, Milwaukee needs to address the lack of talent outside Giannis, Dame, and Middleton. Taurean Prince is an eight-year NBA veteran who shoots 38% from deep while providing above-average defense. He will immediately upgrade the Bucks’ second-string squad.

Nicolas Batum (SF), Philadelphia 76ers

Though Batum averaged just 5 PPG while playing 25 minutes per contest, his contributions to the 76ers this season were immeasurable, giving Philly solid defensive play while providing all of the intangibles you would expect from a 35-year-old. When Batum needed to produce offensively, he did. The Frenchman had 20 points in Philly’s play-in game win over the Miami Heat and 16 points on 5-7 shooting in the Sixers’ Game 6 loss to the Knicks. His offensive rating of 127 for Philly tied a career-high.

With Patrick Beverley and Jae Crowder likely leaving in free agency, Nicolas Batum could be the next experienced player to give the Bucks a spark.

Gary Harris (SG), Orlando Magic

Gary Harris has made his career as a complimentary three-and-d piece, which is exactly what the Bucks need. Harris is a career 37% shooter, who, at 6-4, has the size to stick with bigger guards like Tyrese Haliburton. With Damian Lillard in the backcourt, the Bucks need a guard who can shut down the opponent’s best scorer. Gary Harris can be the guy.