Although the contract he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks gave their front office the chance to opt out of a potential nightmare, the expectation was always that Amir Coffey would stick around because of the 40-percent three-point season he just produced for the LA Clippers (2024-25). However, this is Coffey’s first time in a new city, and his start has indicated a fall-off that is beyond repair.
Furthermore, Doc Rivers has tried to play Coffey with optimism. He clearly had faith in the veteran wing to produce off the bench and maybe even one day start, helping Giannis Antetokounmpo on both sides of the ball.
Yet Coffey is on a one-year deal, and at first glance, there is no chance he will be re-signed. In fact, this early in the season, Rivers has already lowered his minutes, foreshadowing the chances of a stretch of DNPs in the middle of the season.
Amir Coffey’s prime is already behind him at age 28
Amir Coffey’s struggles with the Milwaukee Bucks appear to stem from more than his fit or the system he is in. His defensive rating is high, at 117.9, and his offensive rating is low, at 106.4, which ultimately generates a negative net rating, -11.5, portraying how Milwaukee is impacted when he plays.
Moreover, Coffey’s bread and butter is at the three-point line. This is one of the reasons his role steadily grew under Tyronn Lue, and also why the Bucks were interested to begin with, as players who can excel from three are valuable.
Additionally, Milwaukee is only paying him $2.2 million this season, which was considered worth it, especially if he can post another season shooting a high percentage from beyond the arc.
However, the Bucks’ plans for Coffey have undergone some early changes. He has played all eight games, yet averaged just 1.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, and under one assist, shooting 45.5% from the field and a disappointing 16.7% from three-point range.
The former undrafted free agent has also played in ten or more minutes in five out of the Bucks’ games thus far.
The reality Milwaukee’s front faces is that signing Coffey may have been a mistake, and that his best basketball was with the LA Clippers. It was going to be an extreme challenge for him to earn his way onto a roster and perform well, all while adjusting after playing his entire career on one team that had developed him into the best version of himself.