5 Free Agent Small Forwards Milwaukee Bucks Should Target In 2023 Free Agency

The Milwaukee Bucks are faced with the imperative task of addressing their small forward position this offseason. With three of their own players entering free agency and the need for upgrades, action must be taken to ensure the team’s success.

Retaining their own players while also upgrading the unit will prove to be a challenging task for them. Due to the new CBA, the Bucks will have minimal resources to add new players to their roster. At the most, they’ll have $5 million to sign an outside free agent thanks to the Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, and that would require them to let several of their players walk.

After looking at point guards and shooting guards who the Bucks could target in free agency, we keep the series moving to small forwards.

Terrence Ross

The Bucks and Terrence Ross were recently connected in a report that expressed Milwaukee’s interest in the veteran. Ross’s reputation precedes him, as he isn’t the microwave scorer he once was. During his time with the Phoenix Suns last year, he only averaged nine points per game. The last time he averaged more than ten points per game was in the 2020-21 season.

He still brings good size (6-foot-7) and athleticism to the position. He loves to shoot off the bounce, particularly in the mid-range and from behind the arc. Don’t expect him to take many shots near the rim. Depending on what happens with the other Bucks’ wings, he could be a decent ninth-man off the bench and an emergency player in the postseason. Milwaukee shouldn’t give him anything more than the veteran minimum.

Yuta Watanabe

Another veteran minimum candidate is Yuta Watanabe. He’s proven himself to be one of the best outside shooters in the NBA, connecting on 44.4 percent of his three-point attempts last season. His size at 6-foot-9 allows him to chill in the corners and launch threes when the rock finds him.

The issue is he’s a one-dimensional player. Other than three-point shooting, he doesn’t offer Milwaukee a whole lot. The Bucks seem to be shifting towards a more versatile strategy, as evidenced by their recent draft picks. This is a departure from the previous head coach’s approach under Mike Budenholzer.

Joe Ingles

These last three are familiar names for the Bucks and may not spark a lot of excitement for fans. However, they each have a critical role to play and bring a different type of skillset.

Ingles returned early to midseason and was a solid offensive creator for Milwaukee. He’s still steady in the pick-and-roll, where he developed tremendous chemistry with Brook Lopez. He helps alleviate the ball-handling and playmaking responsibilities from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday. He can also knock down spot-up threes.

His defensive abilities have worsened since his return from a torn ACL last season, making him a liability on the court. This could pose a problem in Griffin’s aggressive ball-pressuring strategy that we anticipate him to implement.

Jae Crowder

Jae Crowder was frank with the Bucks’ media following the season, stating that he doesn’t know his role in Milwaukee. That makes sense since Jon Horst traded five second-round picks for him at the deadline and then watched Budenholzer bench him during the postseason.

With Griffin at the helm, the chances of re-signing Crowder increase exponentially. He lost a step last season, neutering his best skill—on-ball defense. Hopefully, a full offseason and ramp-up period in training camp and preseason will help him regain that lateral speed. We’ll also need to see what he has left in the tank on offense.

Khris Middleton

It is crucial for the Bucks to do everything in their power to keep Middleton on their team. He declined his player option and is set to hit unrestricted free agency. However, it seems likely that he will re-sign with Milwaukee for a multi-year agreement based on current reports.

Middleton’s health is first and foremost. He needs to get healthy and then stay healthy. The Bucks can’t accomplish their ultimate goal of winning another NBA Championship without him. He still brings tough shot-making, excellent three-point shooting, and shot creation for his teammates to the table.