Donte DiVincenzo is the missing piece for the Milwaukee Bucks’ bench

Feb 3, 2021; Milwaukee, WI, USA (Nick Monroe/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports)
Feb 3, 2021; Milwaukee, WI, USA (Nick Monroe/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports)

Following a frenzy of moves in the offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks had revamped their second unit with a handful of household additions. On paper, it looked like this retooled unit was destined for big things this season. Unfortunately, that has not exactly been the case when it comes to production.

Milwaukee’s second unit has been among the least productive in the league this season, ranking 27th in points, 17th in rebounds, and 30th in assists per game. Part of this can be attributed to an array of lineup changes that the Bucks have had to make. Of course, Bobby Portis, who finished as a contender for Sixth Man of the Year last season, has started in 24 of his 20 games this season as starting center Brook Lopez has played just one game. The bench production was destined to dip without him, but if it were not for Pat Connaughton, this group has struggled to make their mark. Fortunately, reinforcements are on the way in the form of Donte DiVincenzo.

Donte DiVincenzo’s return will be a massive boost for the Milwaukee Bucks

After undergoing season-ending ankle surgery in June, DiVincenzo has missed the entirety of the 2021-22 season for Milwaukee thus far. That will change soon as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that DiVincenzo is officially set to make his return to the lineup tomorrow as the Bucks take on the Indiana Pacers. It will be great to see the 24-year-old back in action after missing so much time, and he should be a key contributor right from the jump.

Although DiVincenzo will not be reclaiming his spot in the starting five due to the emergence of Grayson Allen, he will fit snugly as a member of the second unit. The guard is coming off a career year where he averaged new bests in points, rebounds, assists, 3-point percentage, and minutes. DiVincenzo will provide an ample amount of perimeter shooting, scoring, defense, rebounding, and energy off the bench, which the Bucks could undeniably use right now. The guard’s arrival should help bump up Milwaukee’s lackluster second unit numbers on impact.

DiVincenzo should have no shortage of motivation upon returning for the Bucks. Missing the final three rounds of the playoffs and watching his team win it all from the sidelines is enough to make him want to get back out there and help them do it again as a contributor. Yet, another factor will be his impending free agency after the season. The 24-year-old is set to hit restricted free agency at the season’s end, and a strong season for the Bucks would bode well for his future. However, it is far too early to start thinking about that.

It will just be great to see the guard take the floor again in a Bucks uniform tomorrow. DiVincenzo will certainly get a warm welcome from the Fiserv Forum crowd when he checks into the ballgame for the first time tonight. With it being his first game coming back from surgery, Bucks fans should not expect to see too much from DiVincenzo as his minutes will be limited. Still, there is no doubt he will be a pivotal rotation piece as the season goes on.

Welcome back, Donte!