DiVincenzo’s days with Bucks may be numbered
By GERY WOELFEL
There were more than a few observers around the NBA who were caught off guard last August when the Milwaukee Bucks acquired Grayson Allen.
The Bucks acquired the veteran shooting guard from the Memphis Grizzlies for virtually nothing; they gave up seldom-used Sam Merrill and two future second-round picks. The fact the Bucks were able to obtain Allen for so little spoke volumes about what the rest of the NBA thought of him.
Nevertheless, some league officials wondered why the Bucks would want Allen when they already had a plethora of wings like Khris Middleton, Donte DiVincenzo, Pat Connaughton and Jordan Nwora.
Well, here’s the reason.
Before the Bucks pulled the trigger on the Allen deal, they tried to cut a deal with DiVincenzo on a contract extension. Sources said the Bucks’ multi-year offer was for around $9 million a season.
Once DiVincenzo rejected their offer, the Bucks made the move for Allen, fueling speculation around the NBA that DiVincenzo no longer fit into the Bucks’ future plans.
Of course, DiVincenzo wouldn’t even be with the Bucks now if not for a botched multi-player trade with Sacramento in November of 2020. The trade was nixed by the NBA, which cited the Bucks for tampering. For their transgression, the NBA took away the Bucks’ second-round draft pick in this summer’s draft.
DiVincenzo, whom Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer coveted with the 17th overall pick in the 2018 draft, is being paid $4.67 million this season and will become a restricted free agent this summer.
The Bucks would still be in position to retain DiVicenzo as they are allowed by the league’s collective bargaining agreement to match any offer extended to him by another team.
However, the Bucks are so deep into the luxury tax — they are approximately $20 million over the cap — that it’s a cinch they wouldn’t match any significant offer for DiVincenzo. And it could be significant, according to a couple of NBA officials.
“If they keep him (beyond the Feb. 10 trade deadline) and he plays well into the playoffs, he could get an offer up to $15 million,’’ said an NBA executive.
Added another front office official: “That ($15 million) might be a little rich, but I could see that. If you want a restricted free agent, you have to overpay. You have to pay more than them (the Bucks) so they don’t match.’’
He then added: “That’s why I’m sure they (the Bucks) are looking around right now and would want to trade him now for fear they wouldn’t get anything for him later.’’
DiVincenzo, who turned 25 on Monday, underwent ankle surgery over the summer and returned to action in late December. He hasn’t played well. In 13 games, DiVincenzo is averaging only 6.8 points in 20 minutes. He is shooting a dismal 29.2 percent from the field and a lowly 26.8 percent on 3-pointers.
So, what could the Bucks get in return for DiVincenzo?
“Maybe a first-round pick,’’ a general manager said. “Not a high-end first-round pick, but maybe a late first-round pick, maybe one in the 20s.
“Or maybe they’ll trade him for a player at another position — they’re pretty set with guys at his spot – and get a player at a different position with equal value, a player who is a fringe starter.
“We don’t need him, but I’d take a chance on him. He’s struggling now but he’s a good player: he’s a streaky shooter but he’s a good defender, a good athlete, he plays hard.’’
If the Bucks want to recoup a player at a different positon for DiVinceno, it would most likely be a center. The Bucks had signed DeMarcus Cousins earlier this season and he impressed. Cousins appeared in 17 games for the Bucks, five as a starter, and averaged 9.1 points and 5.8 rebounds in 16.9 minutes.
But the Bucks released Cousins on Jan. 5 in a move to, again, prevent them from going deeper into the luxury. Cousins then joined the Denver Nuggets and signed a second, 10-day contract with the team last Thursday.
Whether the Nuggets will retain Cousins beyond this 10-day stint is uncertain, but it is certain the Bucks still want to bolster their frontline, especially with veteran starting center Brook Lopez still sidelined. Lopez had back surgery after playing just one game this season.
While Bucks officials have publicly stated they are hopeful the 33-year-old Lopez will return this season, numerous NBA officials are highly skeptical and are convinced the Bucks will add a center via a trade or buyout.
