Takeaways from the Milwaukee Bucks final two Summer League games

The Milwaukee Bucks wrapped up summer league play this week with a win over the Dallas Mavericks 100-89, and a rather unceremonious loss to the Toronto Raptors 80-69. The two games were a good summation of the Milwaukee Bucks’ experience at the NBA summer league, as they showcased the good and the bad of the young team. Although, as I have mentioned before, reading too deeply into the summer league is silly, trends are still important to look at and takeaways are still valuable. Here are a few from the last two games.

Takeaways from the Milwaukee Bucks final Two Summer League games: Sandro Mamukelashvili deserves a chance at real minutes in the NBA

When the summer league first began, second year forward Sandro Mamukelashvili looked the part of an NBA player. He clearly added muscle during the offseason, and it seemed as though he was getting more lift on jumpers and around the rim. That added athleticism will be absolutely vital to his ongoing success in the NBA and the fact that he seems so dedicated to improving is a very good sign for what is to come.

With Brook Lopez’s age/injury history and the need to give Giannis Antetokounmpo reduced time to save his body for the playoffs, there are minutes to be had for Mamu to continue to prove himself throughout the regular season. The Bucks refrained from drafting or signing any additional big men in the offseason outside of bringing Serge Ibaka back, which might have been an implicit endorsement of Mamu and the work he’s put in.

Whether or not that’s the case, Mamu will be given the chance to perform at the highest level. Yes, Mike Budenholzer has a bad habit of refusing to play young players, but given the aforementioned mitigating factors, he might not have much of a choice in the matter. Hopefully, Mamu can seize those opportunities and become a good rotational piece for the Bucks.