The Milwaukee Bucks are working on improving their roster for the 2024-25 NBA season. Earlier today, it was announced that the team had agreed to a one-year veteran minimum contract with former Los Angeles Lakers forward Taurean Prince. This recent signing helps improve Milwaukee’s bench, as Prince averaged 8.9 points and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 39% from three off of Darvin Ham’s bench.

Mar 28, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Wisconsin Badgers forward Sam Dekker (15) speaks with forward Frank Kaminsky (44) against Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the finals of the west regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
There are, however, several more roster spots to fill. While the Bucks have already signed former Miami Heat guard Delon Wright and Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Umude, they still have a way to go until they should be comfortable with the roster.

One of the things that they are focusing on their season is finding more versatile players that can defend multiple positions and shoot accurately from beyond the three-point line. With this in mind, it appears that they kicked the tires on an old Wisconsin Badgers star.

The Milwaukee Bucks Worked Out Former Wisconsin Badgers Star Sam Dekker

Apr 9, 2019; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Sam Dekker (8) dribbles during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Former Badgers forward Sam Dekker is well-known to Wisconsin-based basketball fans. A star at Sheboygan Lutheran High School, he was one of the most popular in-state recruits but committed to Wisconsin as a junior.

While with the Badgers, Dekker played a huge role on the teams that appeared in back-to-back Final Fours. He was drafted by the Houston Rockets with the 18th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

After four seasons in the NBA spent with the Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Washington Wizards, Dekker spent two seasons overseas playing in Russia and Turkey. He then signed with the Toronto Raptors in 2021, but only appeared in one game and was cut before the season ended.

Dekker has spent the last few seasons playing for the London Lions, but a change in management of the club has his future there uncertain, despite the fact that he signed a contract extension.

According to Mike Lucas of The Cap Times, Dekker and his family are back in the United States for now, and he recently worked out with the Bucks, among other NBA teams: “Dekker returned to the United States in late May and has had NBA tryouts with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks.”

Sam Dekker Played for Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach Doc Rivers

Mar 20, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Sam Dekker (7) dribbles during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
As mentioned, Dekker previously played for the Clippers early in his professional basketball career. Prior to the 2017-2018 season, Los Angeles acquired him in the trade that sent Chris Paul to Houston.

The head coach of the Clippers at the time was Doc Rivers, who is now the Bucks’ head coach. That season, he averaged 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per game.

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