Milwaukee Bucks: 2 players that can fill P.J. Tucker’s role next season
As the offseason gets into its dog days, it’s safe to assume most NBA rosters are what they are at this point. The Milwaukee Bucks don’t have much room to operate and very few holes left to fill, so it’s time to take stock of the roster.
Specifically, one thing that is on everyone’s mind is which player can fill the invaluable role left by P.J. Tucker‘s departure to the Miami Heat. Tucker stepped in after Donte DiVincenzo’s injury and provided toughness, defense, and a veteran presence throughout the championship run. He also coined the “We Dogs” saying and was an absolute blast at the parade — a very important factor we must consider!
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In all seriousness, there’s going to be a massive hole that needs filling in the rotation (and most likely the locker room) without Tucker after a fantastic playoff run with the Bucks.
There’s certainly no easy way to replace the 36-year-old, but there are a couple of intriguing names on the roster that could do some of what Tucker did on the court.
The two most likely candidates to take some of those responsibilities are the incumbent Bobby Portis and the newly-signed Semi Ojeleye. Most of the other rotation options are either too small (in the case of guards like George Hill and Grayson Allen) or not at the same level as a defender (Rodney Hood or Jordan Nwora).
That being said, Portis and Ojeleye aren’t perfect replacements, but each provides something that could give the Bucks similar flexibility with their lineups and schemes. Here is a closer look at how Portis and Ojeleye could fill in for Tucker’s absence next season.