3 keys as Milwaukee Bucks start mini series against Charlotte Hornets

How will the Milwaukee Bucks’ 10-day contract players hold down the fort?

The Bucks, like many teams this season, are now relying on 10-day contract players to help keep them afloat while they await the return of their players in health and safety protocols.

The Bucks have three players signed to 10-day hardship exceptions: big man Luke Kornet, combo guard Langston Galloway, and point guard Jeff Dowtin. They’ll likely need at least the first two tonight and potentially Dowtin as well, given that they’re on the second night of a back-to-back.

Kornet and Galloway both have obvious discernable skills that the Bucks can use: shooting. Kornet can provide valuable spacing as a stretch five on the floor with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Galloway serves as a fill-in option for Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton.

The two veterans both saw action against the Nets, with Galloway playing considerably more at over 20 minutes while Kornet was relegated to three garbage time minutes.

Dowtin is an interesting option because of his limited NBA experience. He may not get much run behind Smart and Galloway due to that, but I’d be curious to see how he looks and if he can impress enough to be signed to a contract with the Wisconsin Herd (who are also missing players due to being signed to 10-day hardship exceptions).

It’s not an enviable position that these three are being put in. They have limited time to learn their teammates and what the Bucks like to do but are expected to go out and hold the fort while teams wait for their regulars to return.

They won’t do enough to play themselves into a standard contract with the Bucks’ open roster spot, but perhaps this can springboard them into a spot on another team where they can settle in a bit more.