Milwaukee Bucks: To buy or sell on Sterling Brown in free agency
By Dalton Sell
Milwaukee Bucks: To buy or sell on Sterling Brown in free agency – What to sell
After a breakout campaign in his sophomore season, Brown seemed poised to take another step forward in year three. However, it was the complete opposite as several of the guard’s stats trended in the wrong direction.
Compared to last season, Brown saw a regression in per game regular season minutes, points, assists, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, and many more statistical categories across the board. Milwaukee’s reliance on new wing additions Kyle Korver and Wesley Matthews, along with a rejuvenated Donte DiVincenzo, undoubtedly played a part in this and utlimately made the need for Brown to see regular rotation minutes minimal.
Because of the team’s deep wing rotation, Brown spent almost all of Milwaukee’s playoff run on the bench. After playing 162 total minutes across 11 playoff games last season, the guard played in just one game this year for a grand total of four minutes. Simply put, Brown got lost in Milwaukee’s substantial wing depth this season and did not capitalize when given legitimate minutes.
The apparent reason for that is Brown’s limited capabilities offensively. As sensational as his corner 3-point shooting proved to be, everything else, including playmaking, is subpar. Brown’s ineffectiveness as a driver and finisher led to him converting just 52.9 percent of his shots within the restricted area. And Brown’s failure to extend his shooting range from above the break showed once again as he hit 27.6 percent on such shots.
Milwaukee’s priorities in retooling their roster this offseason consist of range shooting and playmaking, two aspects that, aside from corner shooting, Brown continues to struggle.