3 potential starting lineup options for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022-23
By Dalton Sell
Starting lineup option No. 2 for the Milwaukee Bucks – Holiday, Allen, Middleton, G. Antetokounmpo, Lopez
When everyone was available, this was the starting five that the Milwaukee Bucks typically rolled with during the 2021-22 regular season. Grayson Allen, the newcomer who came over via a trade between the Buks and Memphis Grizzlies, was immediately thrust into the starting lineup and had a stellar year as he saw the most prominent opportunity of his career. Despite being demoted to a bench role late last season, Allen could reclaim his starting two-guard spot to start next season.
Allen’s sharpshooting from 3-point range made him a seamless fit in Milwaukee’s starting lineup last season. The guard shot 40.9 percent from three on 5.9 attempts per game, both being new career highs for the fourth-year man out of Duke. This was primarily due to the sheer number of open looks that Allen received nightly, as he shot the seventh-most “wide open” 3-pointers in the NBA last season and made the fifth-most, according to NBA.com/stats. Sharpshooting like that not only helped fuel what was a career year for Allen, but it also helped the other starters, mainly Giannis Antetokounmpo, operate with more space on the offensive end.
Given the fact that Allen just had the best year of his career as a full-time starter, it would be a justifiable move to make him a starter once again. With a year of experience in the system now under his belt, he could potentially be even better next season. Starting Allen at shooting guard seems like a very likely scenario for the Bucks to begin next season. Despite his tough showing during the 2022 postseason, Allen has proven to be a perfect two-guard on this roster fit-wise, and the marksman will see a prominent opportunity next season because of it.