The Milwaukee Bucks were in rumored conversations for Chris Copeland recently and while they were always considered the favorites to sign him they had some competition. The San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder were also rumored to have interest in Copeland but it was reported this week that Copeland agreed to terms with the Bucks. Copeland is now reportedly headed to Milwaukee to sign the contract officially with the Bucks according to Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times.
It was expected that Copeland's deal with the Bucks would be for the veteran's minimum but there are reports that Copeland might be signed under Milwaukee's "Room" exception which is for just over $2.8 million according to Nick Borges of ESPN.com. This report comes as a bit of a surprise as Copeland is coming off of a bad stint with the Indiana Pacers.
Copeland will be joining a very deep roster with a lot of capable and talented wing players. Khris Middleton and Giannis Antetokounmpo are locked in as the starters on the wings but Copeland should be able to find some time off the bench along with O.J. Mayo and Jabari Parker who is recovering from ACL surgery.
Another possible avenue of playing time for Copeland will be when the Bucks decide to go small. Greg Monroe is the team's starting power forward but after him the next best option there might be Antetokounmpo or Parker. Head coach Jason Kidd has shown that he likes to go small a lot so playing three wings at any given time is a realistic possibility in Milwaukee.
Copeland's tenure in Indiana didn't go as well as he or the Pacers had hoped as he was buried on the bench in year one and shot poorly in year two. For his career though the 6 foot-9 forward is a 37 percent three point shooter and can provide some instant offense off the bench. Copeland is 31 years old and is only heading into his fourth season in the league as he was a late bloomer but it seems like he is heading to a great situation for him. Copeland should be able to fit right in and find a role with this young and improving Bucks team without a problem.
