Milwaukee Bucks: Very different training camp battle awaits

By Adam McGee | Aug 8, 2018

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 12: Travis Trice II #20 of the Milwaukee Bucks handles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 12, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

As the start of training camp moves ever closer, the Milwaukee Bucks will have a very different training camp battle on their hands this year.

Prior to the start of the 2017-18 NBA season, the Milwaukee Bucks compiled a group of NBA veterans to fill out their training camp roster, creating what became a significant sideshow as the team prepared for the season.

Gerald Green, Joel Anthony, Brandon Rush, Gary Payton II and James Young‘s battle for the then open roster spot included a deliciously awkward and brief group interview on media day, plenty of over-analysis (*raises hand as a guilty party*), and ultimately something of a lesson for the years to come.

Rather than any of the players who were brought to camp and forced to take their share of attention, the Bucks opted to claim DeAndre Liggins off waivers in a move they would relatively quickly come to regret.

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As much as Gerald Green’s play in Houston would suggest the Bucks made the wrong decision and could certainly have used his production, the biggest takeaway from the 2017-18 training camp saga is that it’s difficult to pick up real NBA contributors for the 15th spot on your roster out of a group of players whose futures are in doubt heading into the season.

Beyond that, the whole situation provided a reminder of how inconsequential the final roster spot can be on an NBA team.

Barring injury crisis, a 15th man may rarely be called upon throughout the season, and even if they are, it will come with an expected drop-off in production for the team. As a result, using such an opportunity to cycle (or recycle through) a recurring cast of on the bubble NBA players leaves little room for gains.

The situation isn’t exactly the same for the Bucks heading into this season, but it’s still worth noting the difference in the team’s approach.

Technically, the Bucks don’t have an open roster spot at present, although the non-guaranteed Tyler Zeller deal certainly gives the front office an avenue to create one at a moment’s notice.

With the announcement on Tuesday night that Jordan Barnett would be joining the team in training camp, the 22-year-old is set to join his Summer League teammates Travis Trice and Brandon McCoy in that NBA setting.

Combined, that trio makes for an intriguing mix of options, filling in at different positions, fitting different age profiles and perhaps having varying upside in the longer-term.

Trice is a little further removed from college play, but has shown himself to be a steady and high IQ guard during two spells with the Bucks in Summer League, as well as in his previous G League stints.

Barnett was certainly one of the most intriguing players on the Summer League roster from a potential viewpoint, as he showed solid instincts to complement what was an elite shooting touch during his time in college.

While McCoy was used very sparingly in Las Vegas, but was snapped up quickly by the Bucks after going undrafted, and considering his double-double production in his one and only season at UNLV, there may be plenty more to come from the 20-year-old big man.

In all likelihood, Trice, McCoy and Barnett were added to training camp with the hopes of securing their G League rights and convincing them to suit up for the Wisconsin Herd next season. Still, rather than a mix of veterans who are struggling to stay in the NBA, the Bucks are opting for a group of players who haven’t had the chance to show what they can do in the league yet.

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Maybe that will be a gamble that will pay off in a big way for the Bucks, or maybe it’s all inconsequential as the front office are happy enough with the shape of the team heading into the season. Either way, it looks like we’re in store for a very different training camp battle, and it’s probably best for Bucks fans to avoid getting too wrapped up in it this time around.

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