1 Final Move Milwaukee Bucks Must Make to Complete 2025 NBA Offseason
As the 2025 NBA offseason winds down, the Milwaukee Bucks have made several key moves aimed at reclaiming their status as true championship contenders. After falling short in the playoffs for the second consecutive year, General Manager Jon Horst has already made headlines by extending Khris Middleton on a team-friendly deal, acquiring a gritty 3-and-D wing in Quentin Grimes, and hiring a defensive-minded assistant to reinforce Doc Rivers’ coaching staff. But as the Eastern Conference arms race heats up—with the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Knicks all reloading—the Bucks still have one final move to make: signing a reliable backup point guard who can manage the offense when Damian Lillard rests.
Lillard, though still elite, turned 35 this offseason. His minutes and health must be managed carefully if Milwaukee wants him fresh and explosive come playoff time. Currently, the Bucks lack a true floor general off the bench. Malik Beasley’s offensive spark is valuable, but he’s a streaky shooter and not a playmaker. AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. show promise, but neither can reliably anchor the second unit. In short, the Bucks need a stabilizing veteran presence—someone in the mold of Tyus Jones, Monte Morris, or Delon Wright.
Enter the ideal target: free agent T.J. McConnell.
McConnell, recently waived by the Indiana Pacers in a surprising cap-saving move, fits Milwaukee’s need perfectly. He’s a scrappy defender, smart passer, and consummate pro with playoff experience. More importantly, McConnell is a low-usage player who thrives on ball movement and hustle—two qualities Milwaukee’s bench sorely lacked last season. On a veteran minimum or bi-annual exception deal, McConnell would be a steal. He could run the offense when Lillard sits, allowing Giannis Antetokounmpo to play off-ball or focus on dominating inside.
Adding McConnell wouldn’t just plug a roster hole—it would unlock strategic flexibility. Coach Rivers could stagger Lillard’s minutes more confidently, reduce Jrue Holiday’s (if reacquired) on-ball burden, and even experiment with three-guard lineups to push the tempo. Moreover, McConnell’s defensive tenacity would complement Grimes and Jae Crowder in second-unit sets, creating a bench mob that doesn’t just survive—but wins minutes.
With the core of Giannis, Lillard, and Middleton intact and Brook Lopez returning for a final run, Milwaukee’s window is still open. But in the hyper-competitive East, margins matter. The Bucks can’t afford to waste a single minute when their stars sit. A proven backup point guard like McConnell is the final puzzle piece—one that could be the difference between another disappointing playoff exit and a parade down Wisconsin Avenue in June 2026.
Horst has been aggressive this summer. If he makes this one last move, the Bucks will be fully equipped for war.
