The Case For Each Of The Bucks 5 Options To Start At Shooting Guard

Amidst a whirlwind of offseason uncertainties and the introduction of a fresh head coach, the Milwaukee Bucks are poised to enter the upcoming 2023-24 season with a remarkable degree of consistency. An impressive 11 players from last year’s roster, including the entire starting five and key bench contributors, will continue to don the Bucks’ colors.

After finishing the regular season with the NBA’s best record, however, Milwaukee was upset in the first round, falling to the gritty Miami Heat, and causing calls for change to echo loudly in the air. That’s led many to demand changes in order for the Bucks to return to the promise land. Those critics were likely upset after the team brought back Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, failing to make any major changes outside of hiring Adrian Griffin as the next head coach.

Short of a potential trade, the anticipated metamorphoses within the Bucks’ ranks might be realized by shifts in tactics and player deployment. It’s a reasonable assumption that Griffin envisions altering the team’s approach on both ends of the court. Should that vision materialize, it raises the intriguing prospect of a fresh face joining Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brook Lopez in the starting lineup. Here, we present arguments for five candidates who could fill that pivotal role.

Jae Crowder

The investment of five second-round picks and the re-signing of Jae Crowder by the Bucks underscores the front office’s unwavering belief in his potential impact. Their newly appointed head coach has also carved out a distinct vision for how Crowder’s talents will be harnessed.

Crowder himself is steadfast in his preference for a starting role, a stance that factored into his reported discord with the Phoenix Suns. His track record affirms this inclination, having started 162 out of his last 192 games across the preceding three seasons. In the starting lineup, Crowder can inject a heightened defensive tenacity and an additional seasoned presence, adept at flawlessly executing his designated role. An added boon is his ability to navigate the court without monopolizing ball possession, thus enabling seamless rotations on the perimeter while ceding offensive orchestration to the likes of Holiday, Middleton, and Antetokounmpo.

Yet, the challenge ahead may lie in addressing his lateral agility, which tends to wane with the passage of time. As Crowder has matured, his playing style has evolved towards a small-ball power forward role, as opposed to that of a larger shooting guard. Regrettably, neither Crowder nor Middleton presently exhibit the fleet-footedness required to hound swifter wing players along the outer reaches of the court.

Grayson Allen

Since his acquisition through a trade in 2021, Grayson Allen has firmly entrenched himself in this starting role, a position that he has occupied effectively for the Bucks. A compelling argument can be made for maintaining this status quo, as Allen’s skill set seamlessly complements the team’s stars. His proficiency as a floor-spacer, evidenced by his 40.4 percent success rate from beyond the arc with the Bucks, adds an invaluable dimension to the offense.

Furthermore, his defensive diligence is evident, despite inherent limitations in his physical attributes that may hinder his defensive prowess. While the Bucks might be inclined to introduce a measure of upheaval, it remains worth highlighting that this particular lineup has demonstrated its efficacy during the regular season.

Pat Connaughton

In contrast to Allen’s role, Pat Connaughton has made his mark as a valuable presence off the bench over the course of his career. Renowned for his ability to ignite the second unit and contribute crucial shot-making, Connaughton’s attributes seamlessly integrate with the second unit. Nevertheless, it’s pertinent to acknowledge that he is equally adept at meshing with the Bucks’ starters.

Employing Connaughton in the starting lineup would open up a configuration that affords Milwaukee the flexibility to switch defensively across multiple positions, spanning from one to four. Such a strategic approach aligns with the trajectory that Griffin appears to be steering towards, drawing on his tenure under Nick Nurse in Toronto. Despite contending with a challenging shooting stretch last season, Connaughton possesses the capacity to consistently connect from beyond the arc.

Malik Beasley

Malik Beasley, one of the Bucks’ rare offseason additions, has carved out a distinctive reputation in the NBA for his impactful performances coming off the bench. Given this context, the Bucks would face a considerable challenge in disrupting this dynamic. In truth, their intent in acquiring him was likely to infuse their second unit with an added dose of shotmaking.

HOWEVER, Beasley would present the best option to keep defenders honest at the three-point line. Regardless of his position along the perimeter, his assigned defender would dutifully shadow his every move. This phenomenon is a direct consequence of Beasley’s penchant for launching an impressive volume of three-point attempts, accounting for approximately 15 percent of his offensive possessions, while maintaining a commendable conversion rate of around 36 percent during the 2022-23 season. Envisioning a scenario where Antetokounmpo enjoys greater maneuvering space, pairing him with a teammate who consistently unleashes long-range shots with the precision of a skilled marksman could be a compelling proposition.

MarJon Beauchamp

Numerous discussions have revolved around Milwaukee’s strategy for transitioning from their current roster configuration to the next phase, with an emphasis on aligning it more seamlessly with Antetokounmpo’s future. Intriguingly, MarJon Beauchamp could emerge as a cog in this evolving machinery.

Beauchamp, throughout his rookie campaign and Summer League appearances, has tantalized observers with glimpses of his potential to evolve into a valuable rotation player. To expedite this developmental trajectory, Milwaukee might find value in affording him court time alongside a quartet of seasoned veterans.

Undoubtedly, Beauchamp’s work ethic and passion for the game are palpable attributes, evident not only in his relentless drive but also in his noteworthy gains in muscle mass since his debut season. The question lies in his ability to knock down enough shots from the perimeter and whether he has the defensive prowess to meet the Bucks’ high standards.Those are two questions could be best answered by giving him plenty of playing time.