No. 3 – Joe Ingles can provide elite marksmanship and bench scoring for the Milwaukee Bucks
Two big boxes to check on the Milwaukee Bucks’ offseason to-do list were adding more bench scoring and more outside shooting. With the addition of Joe Ingles, they have strengthened both areas, as the veteran should help the team immediately when he is able to return next season.
Shooting 40.8 percent from 3-point range on 4.4 attempts per game over his eight-year career, Ingles has proven to be one of the best long range shooters in the NBA. Perimeter shooting like that will help Ingles fit right in with Milwaukee’s offense, giving them a reliable threat from the outside that can space the floor. Ingles should fit especially well in lineups alongside two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, giving the Greek Freak a lethal kick-out threat from deep that is ready to let it fly with confidence at any given moment.
Adding Ingles should especially help the Bucks in the postseason. Compared to his regular season numbers, Ingles is actually more productive from downtown in the playoffs, having knocked down 39.2 percent of his triples on 5.4 attempts per contest. Despite the smaller sample size, Ingles has proven to be a reliable shooter in the postseason, which is something the Bucks desperately need. It is no secret that Milwaukee has had its share of struggles finding a rhythm from behind the arc in the playoffs over the past several years, and the thought here is that hopefully Ingles can break that mold next season.
In addition to providing more shooting, Ingles will also give the Bucks an added dose of scoring in the second unit. Though his 8.6 points per game for his career are not the most eye-popping from Ingles, the veteran has reached 12.1 on average twice in his career, one of which came during the 2020-21 season, where he finished as the Sixth Man of the Year runner up. Considering that the Bucks’ bench ranked 27th in points per game last season, per NBA.com/stats, adding a scoring threat like Ingles should provide some assistance in bumping that number up. With Bobby Portis likely returning to a bench role as well, he and Ingles could become a solid one-two scoring punch to help eradicate these second unit scoring concerns next season.
Tie this scoring and shooting in with his playmaking and versatility and Ingles has the potential to be a significant addition to this Milwaukee roster in 2022-23.
Stay tuned to see just how Joe Ingles can help the Milwaukee Bucks when he ultimately returns.