Rafael Castro looked like a name the Milwaukee Bucks might keep around, but that path is now closed.
After going undrafted, Castro generated some buzz as a possible long-term fit in Milwaukee. Instead, following a short Summer League run, he is headed to Houston on a two-way deal. That leaves the Bucks with one final two-way opening and a clear need to sort through the center market.
Milwaukee’s current center group already includes Myles Turner, Kel'el Ware, and Jericho Sims, but another big man would give the team some insurance. If one of those players misses time, the Bucks would benefit from having more size available. The issue is that the available options are thin, which is why keeping Castro around would have made some sense even though he never truly stood out in Summer League.
Because two-way players must have three or fewer years of NBA experience, the Bucks can’t simply chase every familiar veteran name. That takes players such as Nick Richards or Kevin Love off the board. More realistic possibilities could include younger, less seasoned options like Lachlan Olbrich or Josh Oduro, with the idea that they would spend much of next season developing in the G League.
For now, Milwaukee’s attention should stay on the center spot. The Bucks have enough guards and solid forward depth already, so adding another player at those positions would be a surprise. The open question is who, if anyone, can fill the last two-way slot and give the roster the depth it needs.
Castro’s Summer League performance did not force Milwaukee’s hand. In three games, he averaged 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game.
There were a few encouraging moments, but not enough to change the Bucks’ mind. Now the search moves on.
With training camp approaching, Milwaukee still has to decide who will join Cormac Ryan and Kam Jones in the two-way room. The pickings are slim this late in the offseason, but the Bucks are still expected to keep looking. A final two-way signing may not grab headlines, but it could still matter as a useful depth piece.
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