Milwaukee Bucks: Analyzing each position heading into 2021-22 season
By Dillon Graff
Milwaukee Bucks: Analyzing each position heading into 2021-22 season – Wings
2020-2021: Khris Middleton, Donte DiVincenzo, Pat Connaughton, Bryn Forbes, Jordan Nwora, Sam Merrill, Justin Jackson, Elijah Bryant, Axel Toupane.
2021-2022: Khris Middleton, Donte DiVincenzo, Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, Rodney Hood, Jordan Nwora, Georgios Kalaitzakis.
Offseason additions: Acquired Grayson Allen via trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, signed Rodney Hood – One year, $2.2 million, drafted Georgios Kalaitzakis in the second round.
Departures: Bryn Forbes, Sam Merrill, Justin Jackson, Axel Toupane.
The biggest addition is one that Wisconsinites are going to have to learn to accept. Horst pulled off a trade for Grayson Allen who can be a core member of the rotation. He does a lot of the same things that Donte DiVincenzo does well, such as 3-point shooting and scrappy defense. He’s a superb athlete that played starter minutes on a playoff team last season, albeit a lower-level playoff team. His experience and ability to fill a specific role for the Bucks make him a valued addition.
Rodney Hood isn’t someone that will be a core member of a playoff rotation, but he’s a serviceable wing with experience that can come in and knock down shots. This was pretty much a no-risk signing for Milwaukee and one that should pay dividends in the regular season. Hood will be looking to bounce back after a tough year in 2020-21 that consisted of constant injuries.
Having Khris Middleton lead the charge is obviously the biggest factor here, and fans will be hoping that he can give them an encore of last season. When DiVincenzo is back healthy, the Bucks should feel pretty good about their wing depth considering they were operating on a tight budget. In the meantime, Allen might find himself in the starting five, which could perhaps open the door for Jordan Nwora or Georgios Kalaitzakis to find some meaningful time off the bench alongside Pat Connaughton.