Following their title-winning season, the Milwaukee Bucks have done a fantastic job retooling the roster through free agency and trade.
With a surplus of talent on the roster, including returning players and some new faces, head coach Mike Budenholzer will have no shortage of lineups to configure. While the team’s starting five will surely consist of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez, the fifth spot is currently uncertain and seemingly up for grabs.
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That unknown would revolve around the starting shooting guard slot, which is a hot topic of discussion that dates back to the last offseason where the Bucks attempted to complete a sign-and-trade for guard Bogdan Bogdanovic. Everyone knows how that transpired, but since that fell through, questions have swirled about the future of the position.
With several players on the roster worth consideration at the position, here is the case for each player to start next season.
Could Donte DiVincenzo start at shooting guard for the Milwaukee Bucks?
What Donte DiVincenzo has working in his favor over any other player on this list is that he started for the Bucks at shooting guard for most of last season.
Up until he suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the team’s opening playoff series against the Miami Heat, DiVincenzo was having a career year. In 66 regular season appearances, all starts, the guard averaged 10.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, which were all career-highs. The biggest jump from the third-year combo guard came in his perimeter shooting, where he shot 37.9 percent on 5.2 attempts per contest, by far the most efficient mark of his young career.
In addition to his improved shooting, two other things that stood out from the 24-year-old as he stepped into that bigger role were his defense and rebounding. The guard gave Milwaukee a solid defender at the guard position next to Holiday, forming a lethal defensive backcourt. His ability to rebound the basketball also stood out as DiVincenzo consistently crashed the glass, keeping plays alive on the offensive end consistently.
Already having that year of starting experience in this lineup under his belt, he seems like the most logical player to claim that starting spot. However, given his unfortunate season-ending injury, the question remains whether or not he will be ready to play by opening night this season. If not, that would obviously mean he would not start. Yet, even if he is healthy, that does not guarantee he will be the starting shooting guard, although his case to retain his spot in the lineup is feasible.
Could Rodney Hood start at shooting guard for the Milwaukee Bucks?
One of the newest Bucks, Rodney Hood’s case to start at shooting guard next season is rather clouded in uncertainly.
Hypothetically, Hood’s offense would be a welcoming boost to the lineup. Over the first seven years of his career, the swingman has averaged 11.3 points per game while shooting 42.2 percent from the floor and 36.7 percent from behind the arc. Able to create his own shot and consistently knock down shots from the outside, Hood would be a solid fit next to Antetokounmpo, Middleton, and the rest of the starting Bucks.
However, Hood’s health is uncertain at this point. He has played just 76 games over the past two seasons after being riddled with various injuries. Most recently coming off a hip injury that saw his season come to a premature close, there is no clear-cut indication of how healthy he will be from the jump next season. Even if he is indeed back to full strength, Hood might be best suited to play in spurts off the bench to keep his minutes in check.
Having Hood come off the bench also makes sense because the Bucks could use that second-unit scoring he brings to the table. With Bryn Forbes departing in free agency, the team lost one of the better bench scorers they had, and Hood could look to fill that role with his offense. While he is not the knockdown shooter that Forbes is, there is no doubt he can hit some outside shots and give the team some contributions offensively.
All in all, Hood’s chances of claiming Milwaukee’s starting shooting guard spot are rather low.
Could Grayson Allen start at shooting guard for the Milwaukee Bucks?
Milwaukee’s recent trade for Grayson Allen is where things will get interesting when it comes to determining their starting shooting guard next season.
Dealing Sam Merrill and two future second round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies for the guard, the Bucks clearly view Allen as someone who can make an immediate impact. That could result in him claiming the starting shooting guard slot opening night next season, where he would be a fitting player to round out the lineup. Allen does have starting experience as he started in 38 of the 50 games for Memphis this past year, showing that he can play a meaningful role on a contender.
Another reason why Allen could quickly earn a spot in the starting five is his 3-point shooting, as he has shot 38.1 percent from deep over his first three seasons. Heaving 4.1 attempts per game, that connection rate is undeniable serviceable and would make him a seamless fit with an offense that loves letting it fly from 3-point range. Coming off a season where he averaged a career-high 10.6 points per game, the guard packs a scoring punch.
The 25-year-old is also a reputable enough defender that the Bucks would not lose too much of a step by throwing him into the mix. While many solely categorize Allen as an agitator, he is a sound defender that can hold his own on that side of the floor. Due to that defensive presence and his ability to score the basketball, Allen’s case to start at shooting guard for the Bucks is currently one of the mere justifiable.
Could Pat Connaughton start at shooting guard for the Milwaukee Bucks?
Pat Connaughton played incredibly well for the Bucks throughout their playoffs run, silencing the critics that were so harsh to him previously.
With DiVincenzo sidelined, Connaughton played significantly more minutes, and he certainly made good with the opportunity. Offensively, he shot the lights out from behind the arc, particularly in the NBA Finals, where he made the second-most triples among any player from either side. On the defensive end, Connaughton stepped up to the plate and tackled the tougher assignments that might typically be given to DiVincenzo.
He was simply phenomenal and at least deserves consideration for the starting spot next season. However, consideration is all he will get, as Connaughton showed just how impactful he could be when coming off the bench. The guard is a sparkplug in the second unit, providing stellar shooting, defense, and prolific rebounding ability whenever he steps on the floor. While all of those things make him qualified to be a starter, he simply fits better off the bench.
That is not a knock on him to any degree, just the fact that Connaughton is a role player, and he has perfected his role as a reserve. He is the team’s Swiss Army Knife off the bench, which is a role he will continue to play in all likelihood, although he may get the occasional start when filling in here and there.
Could Khris Middleton start at shooting guard for the Milwaukee Bucks?
Khris Middleton will be in the starting lineup for the Bucks next season, there is certainly no controversy in that regard.
However, the question is which position he will be playing. Typically a small forward, Middleton slid up one spot to shooting guard following DiVincenzo’s injury. This switch allowed P.J. Tucker to play small forward and give the Bucks another well-rounded defender in the starting lineup. They stuck with this combination throughout the final three rounds of the postseason, and it ultimately was a solid decision.
While all signs point to Middleton reclaiming his spot as the starting small forward once again, it is not a guarantee just yet. One instance that might keep Middleton at the two would be giving the starting nod to Hood, which would give the Bucks yet another scorer in the starting five. Yet, that would be quite the head-scratching move by Budenholzer, as Hood seems more likely destined to be a second unit scorer.
Another hypothetical, although certainly a long shot, would be the Bucks giving an increased role to second-year man Jordan Nwora. After not receiving much playing time during his rookie season, he seems destined for a big role in year two, with untapped potential desperately needing to be unearthed. Although it seems highly unlikely that the Bucks would suddenly give Nwora the keys like that, there is no doubt that they should look to get him more involved next season. A starting spot might be taking it a bit too far in that aspect, but it is just one of the hypothetical scenarios that would keep Middleton at the two.
In all likelihood, Middleton will be back at the small forward position to begin next season, which is far from surprising.