Milwaukee Bucks: Players that will compete for NBA awards in 2021-22
By Dalton Sell
Donte DiVincenzo or Grayson Allen could win Most Improved Player with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021-22
The Bucks have a pair of young wings currently on their roster that could be poised for breakout seasons in 2021-22.
The first is Donte DiVincenzo, who will be returning from a season-ending injury suffered in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. While there is no clear-cut timetable as to when the guard will return, he will be a key piece for this team whenever he does. After all, this was Milwaukee’s starting shooting guard up until the injury last season, and he took massive strides in his overall development in that bigger role. Averaging career-highs in points, rebounds, 3-point percentage, assists, and many more categories, the guard showed glimpses of potential.
DiVincenzo’s biggest issue remains to piece it all together consistently. It has been the guard’s fatal flaw during his time with the Bucks, with the team never knowing which version of him they would be getting on a nightly basis. DiVincenzo is still just 24-years-old, so he is developing, and if he can return to form after this injury and attempt to get a handle on his inconsistency, then there could be yet another career year in his future. Could it be enough to earn the Most Improved Player honor next season? It remains a long shot, but nothing is ever certain.
Another Buck that could be an under-the-radar candidate for the MIP award is Grayson Allen, who came over this offseason in a trade. Like DiVincenzo, Allen came into the league via the 2018 Draft and has steadily improved over his first three seasons. Allen seems destined for a big role with the Bucks from day one, and one of the most prominent debates this offseason has revolved around if he could receive a starting opportunity if DiVincenzo is still not ready to go by opening night. Allen would be a great fit for the Bucks in that role if that were the case, and the increased role could see him thrive with his new team.
Seeing DiVincenzo or Allen win Most Improved Player in 2021-22 seems far-fetched considering they are both the fifth option in the starting five, but crazier things have happened.