Can Young Wings Crack The Rotation?

With the exit of Mike Budenholzer and the arrival of Adrian Griffin, the Milwaukee Bucks find themselves navigating a sea of uncertainties heading into the regular season. The transition has ushered in a fresh wave of questions revolving around their starting lineup and rotations.

The answers to these questions will come into focus when the Bucks tip off their regular season campaign on October 26 against the Philadelphia 76ers. However, in the meantime, let’s take a crack at answering some of the key questions they’re facing based on what we know about practice and what we’ve seen in the preseason games.

Before delving into the rotational questions, let’s outline the Bucks’ depth chart, using only the 15 players who will be on their roster. Point guard and shooting guard appear relatively straightforward. However, as we venture into the forward positions, the waters become murkier. Every small forward listed below could slide up or down a position depending on the lineup Griffin is looking for. Bobby Portis also falls in that category.

Point Guard:

Damian Lillard

Cameron Payne

Shooting Guard:

Malik Beasley

MarJon Beauchamp

A.J. Green

Small Forward:

Khris Middleton

Jae Crowder

Pat Connaughton

Andre Jackson Jr.

Chris Livingston

Power Forward:

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bobby Portis

Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Center:

Brook Lopez

Robin Lopez

Who Will Be The Bucks Fifth Starter?

The frontrunner for the fifth spot alongside Lillard, Middleton, Antetokounmpo, and Lopez appears to be Malik Beasley. His prowess as an outside shooter adds a critical dimension to the team, essentially deterring his defender from providing any help on the Bucks’ star players. This, in turn, gives the stars more breathing room to operate. However, a significant question mark hangs over Beasley’s defense. While Griffin seems to believe he can handle the formidable task of defending the opponent’s top wing scorer, there isn’t a substantial track record of this in his career.

If the Bucks prioritize a battle-tested defender in their starting lineup, Jae Crowder emerges as the prime candidate. Crowder is no stranger to doing the gritty work, and he could seamlessly slip into that role once more. However, such a move would mean sliding Middleton down to the shooting guard position, which could leave the Bucks wanting in terms of elite speed and agility on the wing. The options seem to boil down to these two, particularly considering that Connaughton and Beauchamp came off the bench in the matchup against the Lakers.

Will They Play A Fourth Big?

Budenholzer had a well-documented tendency to rely on just three big men – Antetokounmpo, Lopez, and Portis – during his tenure with the Bucks. The pressing question now is whether Griffin will adhere to the same pattern.

Given Griffin’s emphasis on increasing defensive pressure, it’s doubtful that Robin Lopez will be a fixture in the regular rotation off the bench. Instead, we might see Crowder, Middleton, or even Connaughton receiving minutes at the power forward position. This adjustment not only eases the congestion at small forward but also creates more opportunities for various players eager to log meaningful court time.

Will MarJon Beauchamp Or Andre Jackson Jr. Crack The Rotation?

The Bucks have essentially nine veterans firmly entrenched in the rotation – Lillard, Payne, Beasley, Middleton, Crowder, Connaughton, Antetokounmpo, Portis, and Lopez. This reality leaves minimal room for the younger talents on the roster to make their mark. Can these up-and-comers carve out a role and see regular minutes?

The exact composition of Griffin’s rotation remains a mystery, but it seems that Beauchamp is the frontrunner for the 10th spot. During the Lakers game, with all key players aside from Middleton seeing action, Beauchamp came off the bench and logged 15 minutes. In that span, he showcased flashes of brilliance on both ends of the floor.

Jackson Jr. is a more complex puzzle, requiring some time to figure out. Depending on Griffin’s vision, he could fill various positions, including point guard. He played just nine minutes against the Lakers, indicating that, for now, he’s trailing Beauchamp in the pecking order.

As for the other young prospects, Chris Livingston and A.J. Green may have to get comfortable on the bench early in the season. Green boasts an impressive shooting touch that could add offensive firepower, but his defensive skills need refinement. Meanwhile, Livingston might be in for a year of growth and development in his rookie campaign.