7 Point Guards The Milwaukee Bucks Should Target In Free Agency

Forbes

7 hours ago

The Milwaukee Bucks will need to dip into the free agent pool this offseason if they want to stay competitive around Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2025–26.
With Damian Lillard expected to miss most—if not all—of next season due to an Achilles injury, and Kevin Porter Jr. likely to decline his player option, Milwaukee is staring at a point guard rotation that's completely empty.
The good news is the Bucks have a few tools at their disposal this summer that weren't available in years past. They hold a $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception and a $5.1 million biannual exception, which they can use to bring back their own free agents or go shopping for new talent.
Most of the midlevel exception should be earmarked to retain Gary Trent Jr., but the biannual could come in handy—especially if they keep their spending in check with Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis. With that in mind, here are seven affordable free agent point guards the Bucks should target this offseason.
Tyus Jones might not make many highlight reels, but he's a steady hand at the wheel. He took a discount to play with the Phoenix Suns last year and could do the same to come (close to) home—he's a Minnesota native. Jones protects the ball, knocks down open threes, and makes smart decisions.
Defensively, he's a target due to his size, and opponents will likely go after him in the playoffs. But during the grind of the regular season, he should hold up just fine.
At 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, Dinwiddie brings size to the position—something that could benefit the Bucks if Doc Rivers wants to experiment with more switching defensively.
Dinwiddie's best days are behind him, but he still averaged 11 points per game with the Mavericks last season and can create his own shot when needed. He's also a better table-setter than Jones when it comes to creating for others.
Monte Morris has been quiet the last two seasons, which could work in Milwaukee's favor if it drives his price down. At his best, Morris is a reliable tertiary playmaker with a smooth midrange game. The Bucks would be banking on him rediscovering his Denver Nuggets form from 2020–2022.
Exum never lived up to his top-five draft billing, but he's carved out a second act as a versatile bench contributor. He has the size to play multiple guard spots and could give the Bucks lineup flexibility. He's not flashy, but he's proven he can stay on the floor and make an impact.
Lowry is no longer the bulldog he once was, but he could bring veteran leadership, steady hands, and 15 smart minutes per night. He knows how to manage a game, keep teammates organized, and play within his limitations.
If the Bucks want to take a flyer, Fultz fits the mold. The former No. 1 pick has battled injuries for most of his career and appeared in only 21 games last season. Still, when healthy, he can flash explosive playmaking ability and would bring a different dynamic to the rotation.
Carter found out the hard way that the grass isn't always greener. After a breakout season with the Bucks in 2022–23, he signed a bigger deal with Chicago—only to see his minutes and production drop off. A reunion could make sense if he's willing to return in a depth role. He wouldn't be a regular rotation lock, but he knows the franchise and could step in when needed.