Just two weeks into 2021 NBA free agency, the world champion Milwaukee Bucks have already made noticeable moves.
After successfully re-signing Bobby Portis and separately adding George Hill, Rodney Hood, Semi Ojeleye, and Grayson Allen, the Bucks have effectively re-tooled their roster with the goal of winning back-to-back NBA titles.
The loss of P.J. Tucker was a huge blow, especially given how pivotal he was to the Bucks in their 2021 NBA championship run, but in spite of that loss they have recovered in free agency with some solid new additions to their team. Having said all this, let's take a look at the grades for every signing the Milwaukee Bucks have made during 2021 NBA free agency period.
Bucks signings:
Power Forward/Center Bobby Portis: A
Bringing back Bobby Portis was a top priority for the Bucks. He played a huge role during their title run this past season. His aggressive interior defense and frontcourt flexibility were huge for the Bucks during a tough playoff stretch in which they faced adversity on multiple occasions.
From knocking down big shots to outrebounding opposing centers and getting putback dunks, Portis put in an all-out effort to help the Bucks bring home the Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2021. With Milwaukee now trying to repeat as champions in 2022, Portis will play a huge part in helping his team to accomplish that supreme feat.
Point Guard George Hill: C
Another player is making his way back to Milwaukee. George Hill will aim to help the Bucks win another title next season by giving them productive play at both ends of the floor. After struggling to find his place on the Sixers last season and coming out flat for the Bucks during the entirety of the 2020 NBA playoffs, this move doesn't necessarily move the needle for Milwaukee.
However, this time around may provide a different outcome for Hill, who is not under as much pressure to perform at a high level, especially now that the Bucks are officially NBA champions. Having said all this, George Hill will still have to prove himself and come up big for Milwaukee during its playoff run next year.
Shooting Guard/Small Forward Rodney Hood: A
This may not completely make up for the loss of P.J. Tucker, but it definitely softens the blow and gives the Bucks a lights-out shooter with a sound defensive presence on the perimeter. Rodney Hood may not be the elite 3-and-D player that Tucker is, but he provides the Bucks an elite scorer who can play shooting guard or small forward and can create his own shot.
When fully healthy, Hood can bring a killer brand of defensive tenacity that would mesh perfectly with the Milwaukee's defensive sets. Hood may not be as versatile as Tucker defensively, but offensively he brings more firepower and he'll be the perfect backcourt mate to Jrue Holiday. Hood would also be able to occasionally fill in for Khris Middleton at small forward. Adding Rodney Hood to this deep and talented roster increases the Bucks' chances of winning it all again next season.
Small/Power Forward Semi Ojeleye: B
This is a solid pickup for the Bucks. Semi Ojeleye will give them great frontcourt depth coming off the bench. His numbers really aren't eye-popping, but he'll provide Milwaukee solid minutes and give his all on both ends of the floor while enabling Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton to get more rest throughout the season.
With his ability to play either forward spot, Ojeleye gives the Bucks another big body when they go up against bigger teams such as Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago during the playoffs next season. The addition of Ojeleye gives the Bucks even more frontcourt depth heading into the 2021-22 NBA campaign.
Power Forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo: A
This is another key role player the Bucks were keen on bringing back. Not only does he provide a spark off the bench, but he's also the older brother of franchise superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now that the Bucks have officially kept him in the family, they've further pleased Giannis and made him feel more at home than he previously did.
This also adds to the Bucks' deep frontcourt rotation and gives them additional youth and athleticism on the wing. Bringing back Thanasis Antetokounmpo also gives Milwaukee a chance to have the only brothers in NBA history to win multiple titles as teammates. At the end of the day, there was a ton of upside and significance involved in bringing Thanasis back to Milwaukee for a few more seasons.
Shooting Guard/Small Forward Grayson Allen: A
As an agile and rugged 3-and-D guy who can have an instant impact on the Bucks next season, Grayson Allen was a great trade for Milwaukee to make this offseason.
He'll also give the Bucks another enforcer outside of Brook Lopez, Jrue Holiday, and Bobby Portis. Allen should make major contributions to the team with his stellar two-way play and constant hustling each and every possession.
Allen also adds some depth to their guard rotation. The Bucks suffered the loss of Donte DiVincenzo to a torn ligament in his left ankle that forced him to miss the duration of the playoffs last season. With DiVincenzo's return still up in the air, Allen gives the Bucks another reliable scorer and slasher in their backcourt outside of Holiday and Pat Connaughton. With the addition of Grayson Allen, the Bucks just became an even more dynamic two-way team heading into next season.
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