Milwaukee Bucks: Key Issues Facing The Bucks’ Core Pieces
By Adam Coffman
Tony Snell
Can he provide “3-and-D” in the absence of Khris Middleton?
Coming to Milwaukee as the prize for unloading Michael Carter-Williams, even die-hard NBA fans may not know much about former Chicago Bull Tony Snell, which is understandable. The 20th overall pick in the 2013 draft hasn’t made much of a splash in his three years in the league, putting up just 5.3 points per game last year.
However, at just 24 years old and with a seven-foot wingspan to boot, Snell has room to grow with the current Bucks. Of course, Snell was brought in to replace the injured Khris Middleton, so presumably he’ll be asked to do many of the same things as the Bucks two-guard.
The former Bull does have an ability to stretch the floor a la Middleton, although not quite as proficiently, shooting 36.3 percent on catch-and-shoot three-pointers last year. Defense is also a strength of Snell’s, as our Ti Windisch pointed out, he held opponents to just 40.3 percent shooting.
This covers the main duties of a modern 3-and-D wing, and should Snell fulfill these qualifications, Bucks fans should be more than pleased with their return in the deal.
Beyond these elements, we have no evidence that Snell will be able to replicate Middleton’s performance in other areas, such as facilitating or general volume scoring. However, he will at the least have ample opportunity to showcase his game and potentially earn a contract extension in the offseason to come.
Jason Kidd has indicated that Snell will receive the first opportunity to start at shooting guard, and although it may be unfair to judge him on Middleton’s standard, Bucks fans should have an expectation of quality shooting and defense from their new wing.