By losing in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks ultimately fell short of their goal of repeating as champions.
The team dealt with a number of injuries to key players like Khris Middleton that clearly impacted the Bucks, so they should be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference yet again next season. The Bucks made a big move to bring back a veteran presence that could impact their team in a big way next season.
NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the Bucks are bringing back veteran forward Serge Ibaka on a one-year deal to return to Milwaukee.
Free agent center Serge Ibaka has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Milwaukee Bucks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2022
Ibaka was once an extremely valuable player in the league, making the All-Defensive Team three times in his career and playing a big role in the Toronto Raptors’ championship in the 2019 NBA Finals.
He has since seen his role in the NBA diminish greatly. After being traded from the Los Angeles Clippers, Ibaka only appeared in 19 games for Milwaukee last season and played a very small role when he was on the court.
Ibaka is only 32-years-old, and Milwaukee on paper certainly seems like a place where he could revive his career.
At his best, Ibaka can be a very useful part of a championship-level rotation, and the worst-case scenario is that the Bucks bring in a good locker-room presence that can mentor Giannis Antetokounmpo and the rest of the Bucks roster.
