Milwaukee Bucks: How can D.J. Wilson earn more playing time in 2019-20?
After experiencing a mini-breakout sophomore season with the Milwaukee Bucks last year, we look at how promising forward D.J. Wilson can build on that even further in hopes of earning consistent playing time.
Throughout what was a sensational regular season campaign, one of the best in Milwaukee Bucks franchise history, there was no development more unforeseen than the sudden emergence of D.J. Wilson.
Wilson’s rookie-year struggles were well documented the previous season by the fact that he couldn’t get on to the floor for anything outside of garbage time opportunities, which totaled just 71 NBA minutes. That left the vast majority of Wilson’s limited minutes during his rookie season to come on assignment with the Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks’ G League affiliate.
More from Bucks News
- Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
- Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
- Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
- Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
- New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited
But in part due to the arrival of Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer and his coaching staff, all of whom carried a developmental pedigree from their time with the Atlanta Hawks, the former Wolverine became the biggest example of the developmental program the Bucks are looking to build with Coach Bud in place.
The biggest flashes Wilson showed throughout his sophomore year came on the defensive end where his mobility, athleticism and length all combined to make him an intriguing defender, especially in the times the Bucks broke away from their traditional defensive scheme to an all-out switching system.
That’s not to mention Wilson’s defensive awareness as he was regularly seen shifting from player to player and guarding up to as many as five positions on a possession or two on a given night.
The fact that Wilson showed he was a serviceable shooting threat from long distance, as evidenced by the 36.2 percent clip he sported on 127 three-point attempts last year, rounded out his rise as a promising 3-and-D forward of sorts.
With all that said, Wilson’s sophomore campaign wasn’t without hurdles, such as the inconsistencies and physical disadvantages he displayed at times. And the veteran-laden additions the Bucks made at the trade deadline (Nikola Mirotic) and on the buyout market (Pau Gasol) did put Wilson back on the sidelines well in advance of the Bucks’ playoff run.
That may be primed to continue going into Wilson’s third NBA season, given that the Bucks have reshaped their frontcourt depth this offseason with the pickup of veteran center Robin Lopez being the obvious example (Dragan Bender deserves a shout, but he firmly stands as a project at this point).
The addition of another Lopez brother won’t hinder Wilson from playing his natural position at the 4 where he spent the bulk of his minutes playing last year, but it does limit Wilson’s occasional usage as a small-ball center. In all honesty, that may be better off for Wilson as his frame and overall physicality, albeit improved over his two-plus seasons in Milwaukee, isn’t suited to taking on the more strapping centers around the league, as we saw at points last season.
That leaves Wilson to fight for minutes at the 4 alongside veteran Ersan Ilyasova and behind Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, which, in itself, doesn’t provide much of a path for Wilson to see extended minutes on a regular basis.
The big question facing Wilson as he looks to take the next steps and continue building on the progress he’s made thus far, all in the name of seeing the floor more extensively, is whether he can hone his valuable skill set to greater levels.
Wilson’s defensive acumen isn’t going away any time soon and it was the big reason why the 23-year-old remained a part of the rotation, even through the occasional struggles he experienced last season.
It’s the offensive side of the ball that looks more vital to Wilson’s usage next season. Of course, spacing the floor and maintaining his effectiveness shooting the ball is a huge point of emphasis and the range Wilson showed last year was very promising on all accounts (Wilson hit 36.2 percent of the 69 threes he attempted from 25-29 feet, per NBA.com/stats).
But the bigger key for Wilson’s offensive game may be inside the arc, specifically at the basket. That’s where Wilson’s strength is often exposed the most as he struggles to absorb and finish through contact, and it most certainly played a big part in why he only converted 56.1 percent of his 66 scoring chances within the restricted area last season.
Not only does that affect his ability to finish his scoring opportunities at the basket and to get to the free throw line more frequently (though, Wilson hitting 55.3 percent from the line last year is a little problematic too), but it also limits what Wilson can do operating as a roll man in pick and rolls, should the Bucks look to manufacture their offense that way more often next season.
Next. Wisconsin Herd name Chase Buford as new head coach. dark
There’s no question that Wilson’s future is substantially brighter after it was incredibly murky only a year ago. Yet there is definitely more room for improvement and if Wilson shows off a more polished game after putting in work this offseason, there’s a greater chance for him to display that throughout his third-year campaign.