Milwaukee Bucks offseason recap Part 3: Free agents that are still left

Milwaukee Bucks</a> roster changes include some free agent signings and trade decisions, but it should include considering free agents who are still left and haven’t signed with other teams.</p> <p>There’s still a lot left on the table for the Bucks to consider much like their trade situation where there are options to consider as I discussed in my Bucks <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/12/milwaukee-bucks-recap-part-2-trades/">Offseason Recap Part 2</a>.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="Bucks: 3 takeaways from Giannis's supermax signing" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/15/milwaukee-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-7/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/15/milwaukee-bucks-giannis-antetokounmpo-7/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> Bucks: 3 takeaways from Giannis's supermax signing </a> </div> </div> <p>The Bucks have filled most of their 15-man roster while currently playing in preseason where we get a first look at the potential fit of the new additions and the whole team. But that doesn’t mean that things can’t still change before and during the start of the regular season.</p> <p>The Bucks should reconsider their focus and look at many of the unsigned players in the league who would add something to their roster. If there are any spots open or any needs they need to be met, then this is where these players come in handy.</p> <p>There are a few, and they are players who can and will fit into a Bucks roster if given the right time and consideration. They are the free agents who are still left, players who weren’t signed before others for whatever and should be on an NBA squad.</p> <p>Free agents who are still available are good for the Bucks. Because they have yet to sign a deal with teams and that means teams like Milwaukee can lock in as frontrunners for good players to upgrade their roster.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Gary Payton II </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_415823" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-415823 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1198349498.jpeg" alt="Milwaukee Bucks " width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1198349498.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1198349498-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Harry Aaron/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Gary Payton II</h2> <p>In my continued search for a point guard, I would look no further than familiar territory in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=paytoga01,paytoga02&amp;search=Gary+Payton&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener" ref="nofollow">Gary Payton II</a>, who recently played for the Washington Wizards and is now a free agent.</p> <p>Payton’s name may sound familiar. He is the son of NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton. Payton II also played for the Bucks a short while back in 2017 on a two-way contract. He actually made his NBA debut with the Bucks.</p> <p>What seemed like an experiment is something the Bucks should try again, and an experiment it would be. The 6’3” point guard is a skilled young guard. He has bounced around the G-League before and since his debut and made noise. In his debut, he posted five points, three assists, and two rebounds in nine minutes. Thereafter, we saw similar performances in games. The Bucks waived Payton after only a few games. When Payton debuted for the Wizards, he posted 10 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, and six steals.</p> <p>My guess is that he was too green for the rebuilding Bucks team at that time, but my other guess is that they shouldn’t have waived him. Payton, as displayed in the G-League, can score and defend similar to what he did in his impressive NBA games.</p> <p>If the Bucks are willing to take a chance and will look a little further down the NBA line, Gary Payton II is a gem. He is a great find, and the Wizards have seemed to understand that. The Wizards are in a bit of a misunderstanding also, though. With the backcourt already at work with Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook ( previously John Wall ), and others, such as Ish Smith and Shabazz Napier, and at one point, Isaiah Thomas, Payton gets lost in the mix there.</p> <p>This would be a great time for the Bucks to capitalize on Gary Payton II before the rest of the league gets ahold of him. It would be an experiment, and a long term, worthwhile experiment if the Bucks play their cards right. Payton II could be the Bucks future starting point guard, and a big part of the organization immediately if given the opportunity.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Skal Labissiere </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_418019" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-418019 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1195685594.jpeg" alt="Milwaukee Bucks " width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1195685594.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1195685594-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Skal Labissiere</h2> <p>Most recently playing for the Atlanta Hawks, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/labissk01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Skal Labissiere</a> is a versatile big man. Labissiere is from Haiti, and if he is looking for a basketball home, then Milwaukee should have him. The near 7-foot big man plays in the post and can shoot a midrange jump shot.</p> <p>Labissiere is a talented, versatile player. He can do multiple things, including post-ups, running the floor, shooting, and rebounding. He will provide a great body below for the Bucks. It helps that he can shoot. Labissiere can shoot a lot. He rises up for jump shots over defenders in the low post as athletic forwards do to get on the scoreboard.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="Bucks starting lineup: Locks, fringe, break-ins" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/11/milwaukee-bucks-starting-lineup-locks/" data-call-to-action="Related Story"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/11/milwaukee-bucks-starting-lineup-locks/"> <span class="call_to_action">Related Story:</span> Bucks starting lineup: Locks, fringe, break-ins </a> </div> </div> <p>It helps that he is an athletic power forward because this will help the Bucks in their need for long offense and also their need for size at the power forward positions. The 22-year-old is young and talented, so he will be a great asset in Milwaukee if the Bucks are interested.</p> <p>He has played for three different NBA teams: Sacramento, Portland, and Atlanta. Labissiere had an impressive season with the Portland Trailblazers. He can be seen coming off the bench, sometimes starting, and contributing in Portland games. Labissiere can handle his own for a player his size and strength, which is light and sweet.</p> <p>Labissiere will be able to make an impact with the Bucks with great minutes and great play. Milwaukee needs more depth at the forward position, and currently the forward is a free agent.</p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Cheick Diallo </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_418322" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-418322 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1194571943.jpeg" alt="Milwaukee Bucks " width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1194571943.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1194571943-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">Milwaukee Bucks (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Cheick Diallo</h2> <p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/diallch01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Cheick Diallo</a> last played for the Phoenix Suns, and he showed some skill in his minutes, so it’s shocking that he is a free agent. The former Suns player possesses remarkable skill for his size, which the Bucks may find helpful, thus they should sign him.</p> <p>Diallo is a 6’8″ forward, so he plays in the frontcourt and this is good. He’s also athletic, and this is good because the Bucks need more scoring bigs because that is the game they play right now with Giannis running the show and after signing a truckload of guards that are more than they can handle.</p> <p>Diallo has strength on offense, and that is a bonus. He can block shots and rebound, but he can score. He has an obvious gift on the offensive end of making plays and being assertive in order to convert. You can find Diallo off the pick and roll or on the drive for a quick bucket.</p> <p>Since the departure of Marvin Williams, the Bucks are or should be looking for someone to fill that void. Preferably, a player like Williams who has a combination of great skill and size, which is something Diallo has.</p> <p>This might be exactly what the Bucks need. It’s not just Diallo’s size that should appeal to the Bucks, but it’s his offensive talent that is impressive. Diallo will fit in right in with the Bucks style of play and also their culture of building a roster full of young and athletic talent. Diallo can be a great asset for the Bucks, an even bigger asset than imagined.</p> <p>Diallo is still currently a free agent, and the Bucks could look into his profile and see a fit.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="NBA Predictions: 2020-21 NBA win total projections" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/01/nba-predictions-2020-21-win-total/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/16/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-recap-part-3/"https://hoopshabit.com/2020/12/01/nba-predictions-2020-21-win-total/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> NBA Predictions: 2020-21 NBA win total projections </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">