8 Bigs Milwaukee Bucks Could Consider On Buyout Market

With the NBA trade deadline behind us, it’s officially #BuyoutSZN for the Milwaukee Bucks.

A few years ago, Milwaukee was never thought of as a legitimate contender for veterans who were released at this point in the season. It was more of a pipe dream. However, since the arrival of Mike Budenholzer and the rise of Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee annually participates in this tradition. Since 2018, they’ve signed guys such as Pau Gasol, Marvin Williams, Jeff Teague, DeAndre Bembry and Jevon Carter to varying degrees of success. Buyout candidates are usually big names well past their prime. However, they can occasionally be very helpful (see Jevon Carter).

In the last of a three-part series that previously featured eight guards and five wings the Bucks could sign on the buyout market, I turn our attention to the bigs.

Dario Saric

A 29-years-old, Saric should still have some juice left in those legs of his. He was recently traded from the Suns to the Thunder and could be waived as a result. He could play either frontcourt position for the Bucks and should fit in nicely. He can still space the floor, rebound some and avoid being a complete liability on defense.

Dewayne Dedmon

Buyout candidates are often big names with little games. Dedmon might fit that category. He’s looked washed this season, but could be useful to the Bucks. Milwaukee lacks a fourth big behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis. That could be an issue in the postseason if one of them goes down with an injury. Dedmon is a big body who can rebound, hit the occasional three and can bump against someone like Joel Embiid in an emergency situation.

Kevin Love

Love has fallen off a cliff this season and barely plays for the Cavaliers any more. He’s stuck with the franchise through thick and thin and will likely finish the season there. However, in the small chance he gets bought out, Milwaukee could give him a call.

DeAndre Jordan

The Nuggets just acquired Thomas Bryant at the trade deadline and could waive Jordan as a way to save some money on the luxury tax. Jordan has flirted with a spot in the Nuggets’ rotation all season and could serve as that fourth big the Bucks need. He’d be most helpful against Embiid and the 76ers in case Lopez gets hurt or gets into foul trouble.

Nerlens Noel

Noel was already buried on the Pistons’ bench before they acquired James Wiseman from the Warriors. Now, he’ll be hard-pressed to find any playing time in Detroit. He’s probably the best and most active shot-blocker on this list. His defensive abilities would give Milwaukee some flexibility off their bench.

Thaddeus Young

Once upon a time, Young was labeled as a Giannis-Stopper thanks to a couple of decent games against him. That seems like a different lifetime ago. He has $1 million guaranteed next year, but the Raptors just traded for Jakob Poeltl and Precious Achiuwa is returning from an injury. He is a tweener, but would be a better fourth big than the Bucks currently have.

Alex Len

I’m not sure how much help Len would provide to Milwaukee. He hasn’t been able to crack the rotation in Sacramento and would do the same for the Bucks. He’d just be a warm, seven-foot body to sit on the bench in case of emergencies.

Frank Kaminsky

This would be fun to see for Wisconsin fans. Kaminsky was a star at the University of Wisconsin and a reunion with the state would be admirable. Kaminsky has a flash of that offensive prowess that made him a collegiate stud every now and then, but can’t come anywhere close to sustaining it. He’d be the most fun addition on this list.