Copeland agrees to deal with Bucks

Free agent forward Chris Copeland has agreed on a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Bucks worth over $1.1 million, league sources told RealGM. He averaged 8.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 56 games when the Knicks were the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Shortly after Dudley opted into the final year of his contract for $4.25 million at the end of June, the Bucks traded him to the Washington Wizards for a second-round pick.

He had to undergo surgery for the knife wounds sustained at his left elbow and abdomen. Short into his rookie campaign, Parker tore his ACL. If Parker has a setback or needs more time, Copeland could represent a serviceable short-term replacement as a starter.

Copeland, 31, went undrafted in 2006 out of Colorado – playing overseas before joining the Knicks in 2012. Copeland carved out a niche as a long-range shooter for the playoff-bound Knicks, knocking down 42.1 percent of his 3-point attempts while averaging 8.7 points in 15.4 minutes per game. The forward featured for the Indiana Pacers in 2014-15 season. Indiana benched its starters with an eye on the playoffs, giving Copeland a chance to see the court after being buried on the bench.

He got stabbed late last season, but that scary incident won’t derail his pro career.

By bringing in Copeland, who was allegedly mulling other interest/offers from the Spurs and the Thunder, it’s just another indicator that the team has been addressing one of their current key weaknesses in perimeter shooting this off-season.

While incredibly early to determine the team’s depth chart at the start of next season, but due to no set return for Parker and Inglis’ own injury concerns (hopefully they’ll be close to 100% by training camp), it’s not out of the question to think Copeland could be starting opening night.