Bucks The Bucks deserve high marks for their offseason additions, according to ESPN reporter Kevin Pelton , who gave a “B-plus” to Milwaukee. “Signing Gary Trent Jr . for the minimum turned Milwaukee’s offseason around,” Pelton wrote .
“Before adding Trent, the Bucks had no capable replacement for ( Malik Beasley ‘s) shooting in the starting five. Trent, a 39% career 3-point shooter, fills that role as a more capable defender and shot-creator than the more limited Beasley.” That wasn’t the Bucks’ only obvious on-paper improvement.
“Milwaukee upgraded from Patrick Beverley and Jae Crowder as veteran backups to Taurean Prince and Delon Wright ,” Pelton noted. “Adding so much experience on minimum contracts makes it clearer why the Bucks looked long term in June, drafting 19-year-old guard AJ Johnson with the No. 23 pick.
” Despite some rumors, GM Jon Horst said the Bucks have “zero intentions” of trading center Brook Lopez , as we relayed here . Pacers The Pacers haven’t made many notable moves, beyond perhaps signing center James Wiseman , but that’s OK. They are coming off a run to the Eastern Conference finals and only need to build on that.
Pelton gave them a “C-plus” for their offseason. “The Pacers locked in much of the roster that took them to last season’s Eastern Conference finals, re-signing Pascal Siakam (four years at the max) and key reserve Obi Toppin (four years, $58 million guaranteed) before agreeing with guard Andrew .