Saying that the Milwaukee Bucks have missed Brook Lopez’s presence this season would be a massive understatement.
The big man has appeared in just one game, the season-opener, as he continues dealing with a case of back soreness. His absence has taken its toll on the Bucks, who dearly miss his incredible interior defense and offensive versatility. Without him, the Bucks have resulted to running lineups with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis at center, which has provided mixed results. Both players can hold their own at the position occasionally, but the team has been getting dominated in the paint and on the glass by opponents this season without their starting center.
With Lopez’s return date a mystery, fans have started scouring the market for players that could be worthy fill-ins for the big man. There are several free agent targets that could make sense, along with a few trade targets once newly-signed players become trade eligible in December. The Bucks do have an open roster spot at the moment, and if they were to ever use it, bringing aboard a quality center to help fill these frontcourt issues would be the perfect opportunity. Yet, rather than looking externally for an answer at center, perhaps their best bet would be weighing their in-house options just up the road in Oshkosh, as one player is making headlines early.
The Wisconsin Herd have a big man that could make plenty of sense for the shorthanded Milwaukee Bucks
After a year off, the Wisconsin Herd have returned to action for the 2021-22 season, and they are off to a red-hot 3-0 start. While several players have been impressive, one that has stood out over these first few games is Wenyen Gabriel. The 24-year-old is averaging 16.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game across these first few contests, leading the team in rebounds and blocked shots. That energetic two-way play, along with his prior experience at the NBA level, could make him an interesting candidate to help alleviate Milwaukee’s frontcourt concerns.
While he is somewhat undersized at 6-foot-9, 205 pounds, Gabriel brings the necessary ability to provide the rim protection and rebounding that the Bucks are sorely lacking right now. For a Bucks team that started the 6-foot-5 Pat Connaughton at power forward in a recent loss to Boston with Antetokounmpo and Lopez sidelined, adding a 6-foot-9 forward would not be the worst idea just to give the team some added depth.
Gabriel has shown flashes of potential throughout his first two seasons but has never gotten a true chance to show it. Bouncing around between the Sacramento Kings, Portland Trail Blazers, and New Orleans Pelicans since going undrafted in 2018, his opportunity at the NBA level has been scarce. However, there have been glimpses of Gabriel being a great defender and solid offensive player every so often, and the Bucks could be the team to put it finally to the test.
It could just be a pipe dream, as it would be surprising to see the Bucks make a move regarding that 15th roster spot so early in the season. Yet, as the frontcourt issues continue to linger with Lopez’s return uncertain, it could be the perfect opportunity to give Gabriel a call.
Only time will tell if the Bucks decide to give him a shot.