3 reasons to like the Milwaukee Bucks’ selection of MarJon Beauchamp
By Dalton Sell
No. 2 – MarJon Beauchamp will help strengthen the Milwaukee Bucks’ defense
Throughout the Mike Budenholzer coaching area, the Milwaukee Bucks have boasted one of the NBA’s best defenses year in and year out. With players onboard such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez, the Bucks have their share of reputable defenders, and they added another intriguing piece to the puzzle in MarJon Beauchamp, who should only help fortify this elite defense further in the future.
Standing at 6-foot-6 with an eye-popping 7-foot wingspan, Beauchamp is a solid wing defender that brings versatility to the table, as he can guard a handful of different positions at a high level. Beauchamp is also a player that could allow the Bucks to switch more defensively, which is a big key for them, given the cache of reputable defenders they already have in tow. Physicality is also one of Beauchamp’s strengths, as even though he is not the brawniest player at 199lbs, he was always pestering opposing ball-handlers and making life difficult for them. Beauchamp has the tools to be an impactful player defensively, giving Mike Budenholzer another piece to utilize.
Due to his length and versatility, Beauchamp will give the Bucks something that they lacked for the majority of their 2022 playoff run once Khris Middleton went down, a bigger wing defender. With Middleton out, the Bucks relied heavily on Pat Connaughton, Wesley Matthews, and Grayson Allen on the wing defensively, who are all quality defenders but are all 6-foot-5 or under. This was problematic when the Bucks battled the Boston Celtics and had to battle against taller players such as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who often torched Milwaukee’s wing defenders. Beauchamp will not be an elite defender from the jump, but he can use his length and versatility nightly to defend these bigger players.