The Milwaukee Bucks are facing a great deal of questions surrounding their roster after falling to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. With Giannis Antetokounmpo out for the series with a soleus strain, and with Damian Lillard battling an Achilles injury that kept him out for a game and limited his mobility in others, the Bucks’ roster simply was not good enough to compete with the younger and faster Pacers.

Feb 12, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; NBA All-Star participants Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0), guard Malik Beasley (5), and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) pose for a picture with general manager Jon Horst (far left) and team president Peter Feigin (far right) before a game against the Denver Nuggets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Going into the offseason, there are some tough decisions that need to be made. While the core of Giannis, Lillard, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez remain under contract, numerous players are free agents and will need to be re-signed to veteran minimum deals (the only contracts the Bucks can afford since they are in the second apron of the NBA salary cap luxury tax) or allowed to leave in free agency.

One of these free agents, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, recently tore his Achilles and could be out for the 2024-25 NBA season anyway. Another, Jae Crowder, has not seemed keen on returning to Milwaukee based on his recent social media activity.

Patrick Beverley wants to stay with the Bucks, but he also wants a raise. As mentioned, it is not really possible for the Bucks to give him one. There is one pending free agent, however, that one NBA analyst believes the Bucks should try to retain.

NBA Analyst Argues that the Milwaukee Bucks Must Bring Back Malik Beasley

Apr 28, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley (5) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends during game four of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
In a recent article in which he lists the first move of free agency every NBA team should make, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report states that the one upcoming free agent that the Bucks should do their best to retain is Malik Beasley.

He writes:

“Money is already tight in Milwaukee, which casts an ominous cloud over the unrestricted free-agent status of several veterans. Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley and Jae Crowder are all ticketed for the open market, and it’s hard to see the Bucks ponying up whatever it would take to keep all three.

“Crowder never quite fit the way he should have on paper, so if the Bucks can only afford one, it’d be between Beasley and Beverley. While the latter handled a heavier workload in the playoffs, the former still feels like the preference.

“Beasley’s skill tree may not have many branches, but it’s built around a three-ball that typically runs between warm and red-hot. Since Milwaukee will never have too many spacers around Giannis Antetokounmpo, it makes sense to prioritize the superior shooter.”

As mentioned previously, Beverley also wants a raise this offseason, so he may not even be in the conversation for next season to begin with. Beasley, though, signed for a veteran minimum last year and could perhaps be convinced to do so again.

Malik Beasley Had a Decent Season with the Milwaukee Bucks

Jan 3, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Malik Beasley (5) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends in the first quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

After signing with the Bucks, Beasley was named the starting shooting guard and, following the trade of Jrue Holiday, their defensive stopper. While his defense left a great deal to be desired from the team’s so-called stopper, no one can say he didn’t give it his best effort.

As far as shooting, however, Beasley was as good if not better than advertised. He averaged 11.3 points per game while shooting a career-best 41.8% from three. His 224 made three pointers this season were the second-most in franchise history, just behind Ray Allen’s 229 from the 2001-02 season.

Late in the season, Beasley came off the bench while Beverley started to provide more defense. However, he proved that he is more than capable of being a starting guard in the NBA.

Other teams will be able to pay him more, so the Bucks, if they want him back, will have to do everything they can to convince him another veteran minimum deal would be worth it for him.

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