Could Xavier Munford Make the 2018-2019 Milwaukee Bucks Roster on a Full Time Basis?
I wanted to evaluate the possibility of Xavier Munford being on the Milwaukee Bucks permanently for the 2018-2019 season, since he is expected to play for their G-League affiliate (the Wisconsin Herd) for the second straight season. Additionally, he was signed to a two-way contract by the Bucks on January 7, 2018. Although Munford is a restricted (two-way) free agent, I expect the Bucks to keep him around.
According to ESPN.com, the official website of the NBA, this is the Bucks' projected roster for the next season:
The Bucks' top talents, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Eric Bledsoe, Malcolm Brogdon, Jabari Parker (restricted free agent), Thon Maker, and Khris Middleton should not be expected to go anywhere. Additionally, players like Tony Snell, John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Matthew Dellavedova, Shabazz Muhammad (unrestricted free agent), and Sterling Brown can fill similar roles on the team, like they did last season. Also, their 2018 first-round draft pick, Donte DiVincenzo can be an immediate contributor for this team.
With a considerable chance that Jason Terry (unrestricted free agent) leaves or retires, there are a handful of roster spots that Munford can battle for. His likely competition will be D.J. Wilson (the Bucks' 2017 first-round draft pick), Brandon Jennings, and Marshall Plumlee (another restricted two-way free agent).
There has been no official announcement that Munford will be playing in 2018 Summer League. However, he will be on the USA Men's World Cup Qualifying team, as announced by USA basketball on June 25, 2018.
After being chosen as a G-League all-star last season and playing six games as a Milwaukee Buck last season, there is no time like the present for Xavier Munford to earn a full-time role with the team.
