In the doldrums of summer, a flicker of life: the Milwaukee Bucks have signed Amir Coffey to a training camp deal, per Eric Nehm.
Let’s start with the man himself. Coffey spent his first six seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he averaged about 10 points a game on 47% shooting (including 41% from deep) last year. Still, his playing time dipped a bit in the playoffs and his scoring dropped more than a bit. The former Golden Gopher became a free agent after his three-year, $11m contract expired.
His on-court fit with Milwaukee is relatively clear: he is a 3, which the Bucks do not have in spades. At 6’ 8” and 210 pounds, the hope is that he can be a Taurean Prince with a little less offense and a little more defense. Per our own Van Fayaz back in June, he “may still have some untapped starter upside”, although at 28 he may have hit his (respectable) ceiling.
Things get a bit dicey off the court. Milwaukee currently has 14 guaranteed contracts, with AJax and Thanasis viewed as leading contenders for that final slot. Since Coffey received a training camp deal, there is no guarantee that he will make the roster, but he immediately becomes a strong candidate for that spot. Drama!
I won’t conclude this article by making a pun about Coffey being a perfect fit for Cream City. I won’t.
