Milwaukee Bucks: Exploring the team’s biggest question mark

By Dalton Sell | Jan 11, 2020

MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 10: Sterling Brown #23 and Pat Connaughton #24 of the Milwaukee Bucks react to a play during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 10, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Shooting guard was something of an unknown for the Milwaukee Bucks heading into the season, and it’s still a position they haven’t quite figured out in spite of their success.

Though the Milwaukee Bucks have a variety of options at the shooting guard position, they have almost all found themselves struggling of late. As arguably the most significant question mark hanging over the team, these guards need to perform better over the next few months.

Starting guard Wesley Matthews was promising to start the season but has taken a step backward lately. Averaging a career-low 7.5 points, the 33-year old has been struggling on the offensive end with his new team. Matthews rarely has the ball in his hands, but his shooting from three-point range has nosedived to 27 percent over his last 10 games.

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Off the bench comes Donte DiVincenzo, the second-year guard out of Villanova, who has been a welcome surprise this season. Starting in a handful of games due to various injuries, the 22-year old has been great, averaging a clean 8.6 points while also leading the team in steals.

However, the young guard has been hit or miss on the offensive end this season, mainly with his shooting from behind the arc. Averaging a subpar 32.5 percent from deep on the season, things had been trending poorly in that department recently, although a 4-of-6 outing on Friday certainly helped. His inconsistency in that area does hurt Milwaukee, though, due to their reliance on the three-ball.

Both Sterling Brown and Pat Connaughton can play the shooting guard position and are also putting up similar numbers. Each is averaging approximately five points per game while shooting near the low thirties in three-point percentage. Much like Donte, both Sterling and Pat have struggled with the long ball in recent games, although on his return to the rotation, Brown showed really positive signs.

There has been some positivity in terms of shooting guard options lately, however, as Kyle Korver has been doing damage off the bench. Playing 18.9 minutes per game in his last ten appearances, the veteran sharpshooter has produced 7.0 points per game on 46.8 percent from three-point territory. Proving that he can still contribute at 38-years old, Korver has been a bright spot off the bench for the shooting guards.

With the majority of their shooting guards struggling and the trade deadline approaching, the Bucks have a choice to make. The team could look into an upgrade, as they reportedly may have an interest in sharpshooter J.J. Redick of the New Orleans Pelicans.

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Another option is to stay put and ride it out with the core guards that are currently on the roster. Things may look worrisome at the moment for the position, but perhaps their play could elevate over the upcoming months of the season. With their quest for a championship stronger than ever, only time will tell what the Milwaukee Bucks choose to do with this roster.

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