Milwaukee Bucks’ Coach DeMarre Carroll To Play Key Role In Player Development

Although the Milwaukee Bucks brought back the entire core of their roster this offseason, their coaching staff experienced significant turnover.

Darvin Ham got the head coaching job for the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving a void for the top assistant spot in Milwaukee. Mike Budenholzer promoted Charles Lee to that associate head coach position, brought in Vince Legarza from the Utah Jazz as an assistant coach, promoted Blaine Mueller to assistant coach, and signed former player DeMarre Carroll as an assistant coach.

Carroll was a former player under Budenholzer when he played for the Atlanta Hawks in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. The two were part of the massive turnaround for the franchise that saw them win 60 games and reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Carroll was a first-round pick out of Missouri and spent 11 years in the NBA, playing for eight franchises and appearing in 578 games.

It’s that playing experience the Bucks are relying upon to help him gain immediate clout with the players in his first NBA coaching gig. He’s been a part of the NBA grind and had to prove himself time and time again to get on the court. Nothing was given; everything was earned.

Milwaukee is specifically asking him to work with their younger wings MarJon Beauchamp and Jordan Nwora. The Bucks could use a couple more three-and-D wings, and those two youngsters fit the bill. At Media Day, Budenholzer talked about the work that’s already been put in, “MarJon [Beauchamp] is already leaning on him. I hope Jordan [Nwora] is. There’s nothing like players that have experienced that, really understanding a role and thriving in that role. And that’s when you’re young, you just want to get on the court. You just want to find a way to get your minutes, find a role, and find a way that you can help the team win. And really, that’s what DeMarre did. So for me, it was exciting to think about adding DeMarre because when he spoke to the players, particularly to Jordan, particularly to MarJon, he speaks with a lot of conviction and a lot of belief in what we’re doing. I already see it. I hope it just continues and grows.”

With Khris Middleton out to begin the season, there will be immediate playing time to be earned if someone can step up. The Bucks lack size on the wing, which either Beauchamp or Nwora can provide if they can hang defensively.

Beauchamp was drafted, in part, because of his potential at that end of the court. He’s long, wiry, and intense and someone the Bucks think they can develop into a switchable wing in the future. His offense is a much bigger question mark, but if he can capably knock down catch-and-shoot threes in his first year, he’ll be a big hit in the draft. That’s a lot of ifs for a rookie, however.

Nwora is entering his third year and just signed a two-year contract with the Bucks. He has the offensive shot-creation some teams love, but he needs to overhaul his game on the defensive side of the court. He’s a liability other teams love to target—something that’s not acceptable if you want playing time under Budenholzer. Nwora knows he must get better, but it’s easier said than done.

Budenholzer did a terrific job identifying a need on his team and pursuing someone who could address it. Carroll has been through all this in his career and hopes his experience can help the Bucks in player development, specifically with the three-and-D wings.

There’s still a significant learning curve in your first assistant coaching gig. Still, Budenholzer appears confident Carroll is the man for the job. If everything goes right, it could pay off in a big way for the Bucks, both now and in the long-term.