Milwaukee Bucks: 5 Key Takeaways From Summer League
By Adam McGee
Improving Small Forward Depth
With Miles Plumlee‘s return still uncertain, the Bucks may yet have to fill up to three more roster spots in the coming days and weeks.
A couple of weeks ago that might have seemed like an exciting proposition but now the cupboard looks increasingly bare in terms of proven and affordable options. With the assumption of many being that Plumlee will return and Steve Novak will join him, that leaves one spot left.
There’s a pressing need that the Bucks would likely look to address with that opening too. With the decision not to retain Damien Inglis, Milwaukee have no real depth at the small forward spot.
Of course, each of the core three of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker would be capable of playing some minutes at that position in bursts, but it’s also important to have an auxiliary option considering that trio will spend a lot of time on the court together.
If nobody catches Milwaukee’s eye in the more traditional free agent pool, they’ve already seen someone on their Las Vegas roster who should be considered as a strong option.
Terran Petteway went undrafted out of Nebraska but almost made the Atlanta Hawks roster last summer after impressing in both Summer League and pre-season, and he has followed that up with an impressive spell with the Bucks too.
Petteway was one of the steadiest and most consistent contributors on the Milwaukee squad over the past week, showing a comfort on the ball, nice shooting range and high intensity on-ball defense that would all indicate he’d be capable at the next level.
Averages of 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals on 33.3 percent three-point shooting should be enough for Milwaukee to at least consider extending a training camp invite to Petteway. From there, who knows what’s possible?
Le’Bryan Nash was another small forward who impressed for the Bucks in Las Vegas, albeit in considerably more limited minutes. At the very least, the Bucks can’t afford to dismiss the abilities of those two out of hand as they look to complete their roster for next season.
Next: The Summer League Effect