Two Genius Signings The Milwaukee Bucks Made This Offseason

SportsMoneyTwo Genius Signings The Milwaukee Bucks Made This OffseasonByMat Issa, Contributor

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights

NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)Getty Images After being eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the 2025 Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks faced their most important offseason in quite some time (arguably their most important in franchise history) (an important development)

And so far, while I haven’t loved all their moves, they have managed to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo around for at least a little while longer, and they pulled off two massively underrated free agency signings, in today's financial world

Re-Signing Ryan Rollins I’ve been telling anyone that will listen that Rollins is going to be a good role player in this league for the next decade

Conversely, He’s already a good defensive guard – ranking in the 68th percentile in Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus and the 89th percentile in steal rate (per Dunks & Threes) (noteworthy indeed) (an important development)

Rollins’ swift agility, supreme positional length (6’10 wingspan), and cat- reflexes make him useful as a point-of-attack stopper, a defensive playmaker in passing lanes, and a chaser against off-ball actions, considering recent developments

Nevertheless, On offense, his experience playing guard throughout his high school and collegiate career gives him some appeal as an attacker off the catch

Last season, he ranked in the 62nd percentile in true shooting on drives (per NBA

Given that he will spend most of his time off the ball on offense, shooting will be the determining factor for how far he goes as a consistent rotation player

MORE FOR YOU It’s hard to find complementary players who can be a positive force on both sides of the floor, given the current landscape

Rollins has the makings of someone who can fill this void for Milwaukee

If Rollins builds on last year’s success (something I anticipate him doing), this will ve to be one of the best bang-for-your-buck moves of this offseason

Adding Cole Anthony On A Veteran’s Minimum After being included in the Desmond Bane trade, Cole Anthony was bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies, in today's financial world

Meanwhile, On the surface, this transaction seems a desperate attempt by the Bucks to fill the playmaking void left by Damian Lillard (quite telling)

Besides, if Anthony is so good, why was he struggling to get playing time (18. 4 MPG) on an Orlando Magic team that was desperate for any of offensive contribution (27th in offensive rating)

While both of these sentiments are valid, let’s not forget that just two short years ago, Anthony was looking one of the better sixth men in the association

At the same time, When his shot is falling, Anthony is a strong pull-up shooter, given current economic conditions

He can also pass (63rd percentile in Passer Rating last season) and create open shots for others (77th percentile in Box Creation)

His stout frame and pitbull- mentality prevent him from being a negative on defense, in today's market environment

Additionally, This allows the Bucks to fit off his offensive exploits without paying a massive tax on the defensive side of the ball

Neither Rollins nor Anthony is a sure bet to succeed next season

Furthermore, But as we learned last year – when the Bucks went 10-4 without Lillard – Antetokounmpo is at his best when surrounded by two-way players

Nevertheless, At their best, Rollins and Anthony ject as such (remarkable data)

Moves these may not turn Milwaukee into the contender Antetokounmpo yearns to play for, but they do make them a sneaky dangerous team in what appears to be a shallow Eastern Conference next season

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