MILWAUKEE — Bolstering their frontcourt depth with another 3-and-D-focused signing, the Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly agreed to a deal with free-agent forward Taurean Prince, as first reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Prince, 30, is coming off a successful season in a critical role with the Los Angeles Lakers. Now, he follows his most recent head coach, Darvin Ham, to a veteran Milwaukee Bucks team in pursuit of a championship. In 78 regular-season games with the Lakers, Prince averaged nine points and three rebounds per game while connecting on 39.6% of his 3-point shots — the second-best mark of his eight-year NBA career.
According to Charania, Prince is “expected to play a strong role in the Bucks frontcourt.” He’ll fill a gap left by the combination of Jae Crowder and Danilo Gallinari — two veteran forwards who struggled to make a significant impact down the stretch of last season in Milwaukee.
PREVIOUS SIGNING: Milwaukee Bucks sign free-agent guard Delon Wright to one-year deal
With recent experience playing alongside superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis in L.A., and two more rising stars in Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns during a two-year stint in Minnesota before that, Prince is no stranger to his role and fits it well.
Standing at 6-foot-6, Prince is a natural small-forward, but has proven himself capable of playing the small-ball four in spots, depending on who surrounds him. Given his size, length and defensive instincts, Prince should be able to fit comfortably in all sorts of lineups for Milwaukee — whether that be as the team’s fifth starter (Prince started more than half of the games in his career thus far including 49 games last season), or a bench contributor.
Milwaukee’s free-agency agenda is clear based on their first two moves: Improve depth by bringing defensive-minded, complimentary veterans who can fill a clear role alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and the rest of the Bucks’ core.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS HEADLINES VIA 620 WTMJ — HOME OF THE BUCKS:
- Darvin Ham to join Milwaukee’s coaching staff, per reports
- Giannis Antetokounmpo injured his left soleus — what does that mean?
- What local businesses do Wisconsinites want Giannis & Thanasis to invest in?
- Thanalysis LIVE presented by Carbliss brought out the stars in front of Milwaukee’s home crowd
- “Never in my wildest imagination” — Doc Rivers talks return to Milwaukee, challenges joining Bucks
THE LATEST: Milwaukee Bucks select AJ Johnson with 23rd pick in 2024 NBA Draft
