Milwaukee Bucks: Analyzing the depth chart as it stands

Center

Brook Lopez | Robin Lopez

After trading away John Henson and Thon Maker over the course of last season, the Bucks were left with no real depth at the center position, which wasn’t helped when Pau Gasol arrived only to spend all but three games on the sidelines through injury.

This year, there should be no such issues. Brook Lopez returns on a new contract following an outstanding first season in Milwaukee and, as cover, he’ll now have his brother, Robin Lopez, for company.

Particularly on the defensive end of the floor, this is a significant development for the Bucks. Now even a minor injury to Brook wouldn’t necessarily force a change to the entire defensive scheme, as Robin should be equally well-equipped to thrive in the Bucks’ preferred drop-back look.

In an ideal world, injuries won’t be an issue for Milwaukee, though, and instead they’ll now come equipped with the potential to trot out truly imposing size for 48 minutes. That’s more important in the East than it has been for quite some time.

If the Bucks are playing the Sixers, the option of having a Lopez brother on the floor to make life difficult for Joel Embiid at all times would be a real positive. Against a team like the Pacers, the Bucks would be more than happy to match the size of Indiana’s two-big frontline with either brother and Giannis, or even potentially the twins playing side by side.

With Ilyasova’s ability to slide up to center and offer floor spacing from the position too, the Bucks should feel very confident about their options at the 5, and in the frontcourt more generally.

Considering the shape of the roster at present, I’d say the Bucks should be looking to add another point guard and a shooting wing to round out their depth chart. Two obvious options in that regard are available, but whether the Bucks can get them is another question.