Milwaukee Bucks: 3 massive wild cards for 2021-22 NBA season

Donte DiVincenzo will be a wild card for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021-22

Last season was a memorable one for Donte DiVincenzo as he saw the largest opportunity of his career after being promoted into the starting five. The guard became a key piece for the Bucks all throughout the regular season and into the playoffs before suffering a brutal injury that required season-ending surgery. While nothing is certain, it looks like DiVincenzo will not be ready to roll by opening night, which makes him a wild card upon returning.

With Grayson Allen likely to be the opening night starter at shooting guard, DiVincenzo will likely come off the bench when he returns. When he was last healthy, DiVincenzo was playing the best basketball of his career with his newfound 3-point stroke, prolific rebounding, and sharp defense. Adding all of that to a bench unit could give the Bucks another spark on both ends of the floor. He would essentially be the sixth starter, given his experience in the lineup. Throw DiVincenzo into a second unit with players such as Bobby Portis, George Hill, Semi Ojeleye, and the aforementioned Hood, and it makes this bench that much better.

The biggest question is when the guard will be ready and how he will look upon returning. Can he replicate that career-best efficiency from 3-point range that helped him thrive last year? Will the young guard manage to hold up defensively after his second season-ending surgery in his three NBA seasons? Those are just two concerns currently surrounding him, but one thing that remains certain is that this team will not rush him back into the lineup. They want DiVincenzo back at full strength, and if he can pick up where he last left off, it will make this team stronger.