5 teams that got better during 2020 NBA free agency

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 04: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 04, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

5. Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks committed two major blunders in free agency, which has negatively colored the perception of their offseason. But step back from the wreckage of their front-office faux pas, and they appear to have significantly upgraded a team that was on pace for a 70-win season for much of last year.

Four days before free agency began, news leaked out that the Bucks had agreed to a sign-and-trade for Sacramento Kings wing Bogdan Bogdanovic. Beyond being a blatant violation of the moratorium on contacting external free agents, another problem arose: Bogdanovic had never agreed to sign with the Bucks, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. The deal quickly collapsed from there, leaving the Bucks with egg on their face.

They also originally agreed to re-sign Pat Connaughton on a two-year, $8.3 million deal with a second-year player option, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic. But as Hollinger noted, that contract wasn’t legal since they were using his Early Bird rights to re-sign him, and such deals must be for at least two guaranteed years. They instead wound up bringing him back on a three-year, $16 million contract.

None of that is great, particularly since the Bucks are currently attempting to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign a supermax extension. But their acquisition of Jrue Holiday and their signings of D.J. Augustin, Bryn Forbes, Bobby Portis and Torrey Craig were a valiant attempt to save face.

The Bucks undeniably overpaid for Holiday — they sent out Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, three first-round picks and two first-round swaps in the four-team deal — but if he gets Antetokounmpo to sign on the dotted line, no price was too costly. He’ll also be a significant upgrade over Bledsoe, particularly in the playoffs, where Bledsoe tended to become more of a liability than an asset.

Augustin likely won’t lead the league in 3-point percentage like Hill did last season, but he’s a steady second-unit point guard. Forbes, Portis and Craig should help make up for the losses of Robin Lopez, Wes Matthews and Ersan Ilyasova and give the Bucks more depth and versatility.

Until Antetokounmpo signs his supermax extension, the Bucks won’t rest easy this offseason. But despite their screwups with Bogdanovic and Connaughton, they’ve done well to upgrade their roster and give the Greek Freak more reason to stay put long term.

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