Milwaukee, WI
1 Last name could solve several problems for the Milwaukee Bucks this off-season
It’s almost time for the Milwaukee Bucks to begin retooling their roster.
Whether it’s through trade, free agency or the draft, the team will have options to patch some of their significant holes. As talked about ad nauseam, their prominent needs include athleticism, youth and defense above all else. To inject those attributes into this roster, there is a common last name shared between two players who should be on Milwaukee’s radar: Dunn.
Kris Dunn and Ryan Dunn are two incredibly different players, but they could both help the Bucks.
Kris Dunn, who is 30 and an eight-year NBA veteran, just had a bit of a resurgence with the Utah Jazz this past season after bouncing around over the prior few years. Playing 66 contests, the most since his rookie campaign, Dunn gave the Jazz excellent defense, facilitating and perimeter shooting.
If the Milwaukee Bucks lose Patrick Beverley, which remains a legitimate possibility, they will need a replacement in the backcourt, and Dunn would fit in perfectly. Dunn is among the more underrated defenders at the guard position in the entire NBA, having flirted with All-Defensive selections in recent years.
He could instantly slide into the backup point guard role behind Damian Lillard, allowing the star to catch his breath when called upon. If the Bucks could snag him on a “prove-it deal” as they did with Malik Beasley last off-season, allowing the guard to showcase his skills on a contender in hopes of earning a raise the following off-season, this could be a great move for Milwaukee.
According to Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks actually did do homework on Dunn before the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, so they are familiar with what he brings. That interest should be reignited this off-season if they are in the market for a new defensive-minded point guard who can also make plays on the offensive end.
As for Ryan Dunn, he just finished up a two-year collegiate career at Virginia and will now wait to hear his name called in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft. The Bucks have worked out the power forward in recent days, and understandably so, as there’s a lot to like about what he could bring to this roster.
The 6-foot-8 forward/guard is among the best defenders in this draft, boasting impressive athleticism and versatility that make him a nightmare for opponents. This past season at Virginia, he averaged an astounding 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per matchup, constantly making eye-popping plays. Could the Milwaukee Bucks use a player like this? Absolutely.
The 21-year-old would give Milwaukee the defensive playmaker they have been desperately seeking, taking on players of all shapes and sizes. Due to his height, length and athleticism, it would be much more difficult for opponents to target him, something opposing players have done constantly with Milwaukee’s shorter, more unathletic wing defenders in recent memory.
Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler and other top-notch forwards will not be going anywhere anytime soon, and the Bucks need to find their answer defensively. At 21, it might take time for Dunn to grow into the role, but he has all of the physical tools to thrive.
Despite being arguably the best defender in the entire draft, the big reason some are scared off by Dunn is his offense. He averaged 8.1 points while shooting 20 percent from three and 53.2 percent from the free throw line this past season. Those numbers are certainly nothing to write home about, as he doesn’t have much of a repertoire on that side of the floor.
Yet, on a team with electric scorers like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, offense shouldn’t be Milwaukee’s primary concern. If they can land an elite defensive playmaker who doesn’t make much of an impact offensively, that’s a solid trade-off, given the team’s major needs on defense.
There’s a lot to like about what both Kris Dunn and Ryan Dunn could bring to the table in Milwaukee, and it all starts on the defensive side of the ball. They could knock out several items on the to-do list, including adding more youth, defense and athleticism, among many other eye-catching things.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
Milwaukee, WI
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Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Bucks sign Cormac Ryan to two-way contract
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The Milwaukee Bucks rewarded Cormac Ryan for his strong G League season with the Wisconsin Herd by signing him to a two-way contract. That will allow Ryan, 27, the chance to finish out the regular season with the Bucks. He would be ineligible for postseason play, however.
Ryan joins former Dominican High School star Alex Antetokounmpo and Pete Nance on two-way deals. The Bucks now have a completely full roster, with 15 guaranteed contracts as well.
Ryan was originally signed by the team in the summer, when he played in five summer league games, before inking a training camp contract. He appeared in two preseason games.
Ryan then played 29 games with the Herd and shot 42.3% from behind the 3-point line to average 20.4 points per game. He shot 48.9% from the field overall.
Ryan, a 6-foot-5 guard, played at Stanford (2018-19), Notre Dame (2020-23) and North Carolina (2023-24) before going undrafted. He averaged 10.4 points per game in college on 35.2% 3-point shooting. He made 40.7% of his 3-pointers in 2021-22 at Notre Dame.
He initially signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ryan did not make it out of training camp in 2024 but signed to the Thunder’s G League affiliate.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Bucks injury report: Is Giannis playing tonight vs. Cavs?
Have additions of Ousmane Dieng and Cam Thomas re-energized the Bucks?
The Milwaukee Bucks have stacked wins even with Giannis Antetokounmpo unavailable. Can it last? We discussed on the Point Forward Podcast.
The Milwaukee Bucks have an opportunity to steal a victory from one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, they host the tired and diminished Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at Fiserv Forum.
Cleveland (37-22), in contention for a top three seed, beat the New York Knicks on Feb. 24 in Ohio. After flying into Milwaukee after the game, the Cavaliers ruled out MVP candidate Donovan Mitchell and reigning defensive player of the year Evan Mobley. All-star James Harden is questionable to play.
One player who will suit up for Cleveland is point guard Dennis Schröder, who was acquired at the deadline from Sacramento. The 32-year-old is often a thorn in the side of the Bucks, and he scored 24 points in a Kings victory over the Bucks early in the season.
The Bucks are also playing on the second night of a back-to-back, though they slept in their own beds after beating Miami at home. They have won seven of their last nine games.
Milwaukee (25-31) remains out of the postseason picture entirely, however, sitting in 11th place in the East.
The Bucks have beaten teams with winning records in consecutive games only twice this season, with wins over Golden State and New York (Oct. 28-30) and Orlando and Oklahoma City (Feb. 11-12).
And, the Bucks also have struggled against teams that do not have their stars. They lost twice to Denver without all-stars Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray (and even more starters), lost to Minnesota without all-stars Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert and even Portland without starters Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe. They also lost to Philadelphia twice without Joel Embiid and Paul George on a minute limit.
Is Giannis playing?
No.
Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is still ramping up in his rehab from a Jan. 23 soleus strain in his right calf, which he self-diagnosed as a four- to six-week injury. Antetokounmpo has done “live” practice work with teammates and coaches after the team returned home from New Orleans beginning on Feb. 21.
Before the game against Miami, Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo has not gone five-on-five but does not need to. Rivers also added the two-time MVP has not suffered any setbacks with the injury.
What is the Bucks record without Giannis?
10-16
Milwaukee is 15-15 when Antetokounmpo plays any number of minutes.
Cavaliers on hot streak since trading for James Harden
Cleveland, which was the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference last year with 64 wins, doubled down its roster heading into this season with the most expensive team in the NBA. But, as the trade deadline approached in early February, the team had fallen short of expectations. So, they began shedding salary and talent, most notably homegrown all-star guard Darius Garland.
They shipped the injured 26-year-old to the Los Angeles Clippers for 36-year-old all-star guard James Harden and received an immediate boost, winning five straight and six of seven heading into the game against the Bucks.
But Harden did suffer a fracture in his right (non-shooting) thumb against the Knicks on Feb. 24.
Harden has been solid since arriving in Cleveland, averaging 18.9 points on 48.8% shooting from behind the 3-point line while also averaging 8.0 assists. His presence has rejuvenated all-star center Jarrett Allen, who has averaged 20.4 points on 76.7% shooting since the point guard’s arrival. Before Harden joining the team, Allen averaged 13.9 points on 60% shooting in his first 40 games.
- Taurean Prince, out (neck surgery)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, out (right calf strain)
Milwaukee Bucks probable starters
- Guards: Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, AJ Green
- Forward: Kyle Kuzma
- Center: Myles Turner
Cavaliers injury report
- Max Strus, out (left foot surgery)
- Donovan Mitchell, out (right groin strain)
- Evan Mobley, out (left calf injury management)
- James Harden, questionable (right thumb fracture)
What time is the Bucks game?
Tip-off is schedule for 7 p.m. CT.
What channel is the Bucks game on?
The game will be simulcast locally on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin and WMLW The M with Lisa Byington, Marques Johnson and Melanie Ricks on the call.
Bucks vs. Cavaliers odds
Cleveland is an 8.5-point favorite over Milwaukee with the over/under set at 228.5 points, per BetMGM.
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