Milwaukee Bucks: 3 biggest takeaways from second day of Media Week

Donte DiVincenzo doesn’t lack motivation going into third season with Milwaukee Bucks

It was only a few weeks ago where it had appeared as though Donte DiVincenzo’s time with the Bucks had come to an end.

After all, DiVincenzo was included in the framework for the proposed sign-and-trade deal with the Sacramento Kings that would have netted the Bucks Bogdan Bogdanovic. Of course, we all know how that saga ended and as a result, DiVincenzo stays put in Milwaukee.

Whether it ends up being a blessing in disguise for both DiVincenzo or the Bucks remains to be seen, but the 23-year-old has harbored no ill will in the fallout of the ordeal:

"“Nothing changes. Conversations I’ve had with coaches, the front office, strength and conditioning coaches, my trust is still there. Nothing changes. They want the best for me. They want me to get better, I want to get better. So nothing has changed there.”"

DiVincenzo certainly made considerable strides over his sophomore season, but hit quite the wall once last season resumed down in the bubble. He ultimately wasn’t alone in that, considering the outcome of the Bucks’ season in general, but it has certainly lit a fire under DiVincenzo going into his third NBA season:

"“There are no excuses. I was hitting my stride towards the latter half of the season and no matter what it was, the offseason or the bubble, there are no excuses. I got to be better, especially when we’re trying to make a run at a title. So I took that and had been working out with a chip on my shoulder just to get better. And then coming into this year, just mentally being able to handle ups and downs. It’s going to be an interesting season, so being able to stay level-headed, mentally focused and just keep getting better everyday, that’s my main goal.”"

Lastly, DiVincenzo has a ripe opportunity to potentially step up in the void in the Bucks’ starting lineup left behind by Wesley Matthews. But as he told reporters Friday, the Villanova product views being productive over what kind of role he’ll have as what’s more important going into the season:

"“I view this year just like how I did last year. Whether I’m the starting 2-guard, coming off the bench, it doesn’t matter. I have to be productive in my minutes and be productive with whoever I’m on the court with. My job, I’ve said it since day one, is making it easier for Khris and Giannis. And posibly with a bigger role, just being able to step in there and be confident. I don’t think it’s something to be nervous for. I don’t think you should be in this line of work if you should be nervous about getting a bigger role. I think you should come in, embrace that and be able to prove that to everybody.”"

Clearly, plenty of fascinating insights from that trio of Bucks players and we’ll just have to see what other interesting details are gathered in the coming days and weeks as the team prepares for training camp and the start of the coming year as a whole.