The Milwaukee Bucks have seen promising results from their investment in Ousmane Dieng, who has quickly taken advantage of his opportunity in the first three games with the team. Given this positive turn, the Bucks appear interested in pursuing another player from the same draft class, Ochai Agbaji, as a potential breakout candidate this coming offseason.
Agbaji, chosen three picks after Dieng by Cleveland, showed flashes of promise two seasons ago with Toronto, although his development has stalled somewhat since. After being traded by the Raptors to Brooklyn in what was largely considered a salary dump at the 2026 trade deadline, Agbaji is expected to finish the season with the Nets. As he enters restricted free agency this summer, Milwaukee looks poised to explore signing him.
Agbaji Brings Comparable Potential as a Versatile, Smaller Player
While Dieng had limited chances to prove himself during his stretch with the Thunder due to a deep roster, Agbaji has had more regular playing time and opportunities to grow. As a rookie with Utah, Agbaji appeared in 59 games and started 22. He then moved to Toronto, where he started 63 of 91 games, showing more substantial court time and development.
Last season marked a turning point for Agbaji, as he averaged 10.4 points per game on efficient shooting splits of 49.8% from the field, 39.9% from three-point range, and 70.8% from the free-throw line. Beyond scoring, he demonstrated effective rebounding, contributing nearly seven total boards and about three offensive rebounds per 100 possessions, which is a notable asset compared to peers like Gary Trent Jr., who averages 4.2 total rebounds and only 0.6 offensive rebounds per 100 possessions.
Milwaukee’s front office has felt the impact of weaker rebounding this season, so Agbaji’s hustle and athleticism in the backcourt could address a key team need. His defensive skill set also stands out; with a 6-foot-10 wingspan that extends well beyond his 6-foot-5 frame, Agbaji produced close to one steal per game during the 2024-25 season in Toronto. Even with a reduced role this year, his defensive on-off rating improved, showing that the opposition scored 2.6 fewer points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor.
Career Challenges and Contract Status Highlight Acquisition Opportunity
Despite these strengths, Agbaji’s overall career figures have not aligned with expectations for a 14th overall pick. Over his career, he has averaged 7.3 points per game, shooting 44.6% from the field, 33.8% from three, and 75.2% from the free-throw line. Notably, his positive impact on the court, measured by on-off ratings, has only been evident in isolated instances, with his scoring dipping to a career-low average of 4.2 points per game this season.
Nearly 26 years old and with 244 professional games played, Agbaji has moved beyond the “prospect” label but remains a valuable role-player candidate. The Brooklyn Nets, holding a $6.4 million team option for the 2025-26 season on his fully guaranteed $18.7 million four-year rookie contract, are unlikely to match offers that Milwaukee might present.
This situation creates an opening for the Bucks to pursue him at a cost potentially below his current salary. Additionally, both Agbaji and Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo share the same agent, Alex Saratsis, which could facilitate discussions and strengthen Milwaukee’s chances of landing the player.
Potential Impact and Future Outlook for the Bucks’ Roster
Following Dieng’s impressive start, acquiring Agbaji fits Milwaukee’s strategy of targeting players from the same draft class who may have been undervalued or underutilized on their previous teams. Agbaji’s combination of length, defensive ability, and rebounding aligns with the Bucks’ needs, particularly in shoring up their backcourt depth and improving their defensive versatility.
Should the Bucks successfully sign Agbaji, it would reflect a continuation of their strategy to find cost-effective, high-upside talent to support their core. This approach could strengthen their rotation and provide lineup flexibility heading into future seasons, keeping Milwaukee competitive within the Eastern Conference.
