Milwaukee Bucks: D.J. Wilson has everything to prove this year

The deadline for rookie-scale contract extensions passed with the Milwaukee Bucks choosing to make D.J. Wilson a restricted free agent next summer.

There has been plenty of talk about extensions lately for the Milwaukee Bucks, but one didn’t notably come through Monday.

Yesterday saw the deadline pass for fourth-year players who were eligible for rookie-scale contract extensions and there was hardly even a report on whether the Bucks held talks with Wilson and his camp, much less see the deadline pass without a deal. That was to be expected considering how Wilson’s three years in Milwaukee have gone up until this point.

D.J. Wilson has certainly shown flashes over his three seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, but he’ll have make good on the opportunities that come his way this year.

The biggest hurdle facing Wilson over his unproven NBA career has been a lack of consistent playing time on the NBA level. It was during Wilson’ sophomore season where he saw his most NBA minutes by far (882), even going as so far as doubling the total minutes he saw in his rookie season as well as the 2019-20 campaign combined (434).

Looking at the bigger picture, Wilson has played the seventh-fewest minutes of players selected in the first round of his draft class.

Of the rare extended opportunities Wilson has had, he’s certainly shown interesting tools and gifts defensively that have long intrigued Bucks fans and have wished for him to get more minutes. But those flashes haven’t led to consistency, especially on the offensive end. That’s where he’s shot 32.2 percent from three over his career and has struggled when finishing inside and through contract at or around the basket.

Clearly Wilson’s game is far from complete at this stage, but his lack of consistent minutes and earning the occasional assignment down the Wisconsin Herd hasn’t ironed out his deficiencies. This year, though, Wilson may be thrust into a role where the Bucks need him, given how their roster stands going into the season.

The Bucks’ frontcourt depth is quite thin behind the likes of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. It’s Wilson and new Bucks forward Bobby Portis who are next in line for minutes at both the 4 and 5 spots.

Wilson has certainly got plenty of run over the Bucks’ training camp and preseason and has made a strong impression on Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer in the process. As Bud and his teammates have championed him going into a big season for himself and the franchise as a whole, Wilson talked about his mindset going into camp to Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

"“I think I’ve been getting ready for it from the jump,” Wilson said. “Preparation for me is everything. As long as I know I’ve put in the work and I do what I need to do behind closed doors, when the opportunity is given I know I’ll make the most of it. I’m just controlling what I can and let the rest fall where they fall.”"

dark. Next. 3 goals for Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2020-21 season

All Wilson has largely known to this point in his NBA career is being passed over for more proven and experienced options that the Bucks have brought in to fortify their rotation. With minutes to be had behind Antetokounmpo and little options standing his way, it’s truly now or never for Wilson to make his imprint on the Bucks. After all, his NBA future is literally at stake.

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Milwaukee Bucks: D.J. Wilson has everything to prove this year with no extension

By Jordan Treske | Dec 22, 2020

The deadline for rookie-scale contract extensions passed with the Milwaukee Bucks choosing to make D.J. Wilson a restricted free agent next summer.

D.J. Wilson has certainly shown flashes over his three seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, but he’ll have make good on the opportunities that come his way this year.