Having lineup versatility has been a crucial attribute for the Milwaukee Bucks in recent memory.
Coach Mike Budenholzer has never been afraid to shake up his lineups and rotations from time to time, and that will certainly not stop this coming season. With the Bucks making several moves in the offseason through the draft and free agency, there are a few new players in the fold that will give Budenholzer even more versatility next season, especially when looking at options for the starting lineup. With that being said, let us look at three potential starting lineup combinations the Milwaukee Bucks may use on opening night of the 2022-23 NBA season.
Starting lineup option No. 1 for the Milwaukee Bucks – Holiday, Matthews, Middleton, G. Antetokounmpo, Lopez
This was the starting lineup that the Milwaukee Bucks utilized down the stretch of the 2021-22 regular season and into the NBA Playoffs. Coach Mike Budenholzer swapped out Grayson Allen in favor of the more experienced Wesley Matthews, and although the Bucks did not ultimately get to use this particular lineup much due to Khris Middleton’s MCL sprain, it had potential when all five members were able to play together.
The decision to put Matthews in the starting five was a defensive-minded one from Budenholzer. The seasoned veteran brought more defensive intensity into than mix than Allen did alongside his fellow starters, which was useful throughout Milwaukee’s 12-game playoff run. Matthews would often draw the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s top scorer, which alleviated pressure from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and others. When everyone is healthy, this lineup can be dangerous on the defensive end due to the tenacious defense they all possess.
Offensively, Matthews was not tasked with doing much alongside the starters aside from occasionally letting it fly from 3-point range. He was solid in that regard during the postseason as he buried an efficient 40 percent of his 3-pointers, so he fits well on that side of the court when that outside shot is indeed falling. With gifted playmakers like Antetokounmpo and Holiday both on the court, a 3-point shooter like Matthews thrives off the sheer amount of great open looks he can receive nightly.
While Matthews is a snug fit in this hypothetical starting five, it is not too likely that this is the one Budenholzer goes with on opening night next season. Nearing 36-years-old, it is not controversial to say that Matthews does not have the legs he did when he was 26. Though he still has plenty to give on the basketball court, the Bucks will likely look to keep Matthews fresh throughout the year to keep him fresh for the postseason, just like they did last season. The veteran will likely start the year in a bench role, but this could possibly end up being a starting lineup at some point.
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.
Starting lineup option No. 3 for the Milwaukee Bucks – Holiday, Beauchamp, Middleton, G. Antetokounmpo, Lopez
It seems that this is the lineup fans want to see the Milwaukee Bucks utilize on opening night, and understandably so. MarJon Beauchamp, Milwaukee’s first round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is an incredibly intriguing player that is filled with potential, and many believe that throwing him into the fire as a full-time starter right away is the best way to help unearth it.
On paper, the 21-year-old Beauchamp possesses several attributes that hypothetically make him a solid fit with the other starters. Defensively, the 6-foot-6 swingman is as versatile as they come, and the Bucks will utilize him heavily on that side of the floor to match up against opposing wings. Alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez, Beauchamp’s defense would help form a formidable unit on that end of things.
Offensively, there are more questions regarding Beauchamp’s fit, mainly due to his perimeter shot. Having shot 24.2 percent from three during his lone season with the G-League Ignite, Beauchamp struggled to find much consistency with his shot, which made fans skeptical regarding his fit with the Bucks from the moment he was first drafted. However, Beauchamp showed promising signs during the 2022 NBA Summer League, having shot 11-for-24 (45.8 percent) from 3-point range in five games. While it comes in a small sample size, Beauchamp looked confident in his long range shot, and if he can be a reliable shooter at the next level, he will be perfect in Milwaukee’s offense.
If Beauchamp will be Milwaukee’s opening night starter, he will certainly have to earn it, but there is no denying that he checks off several boxes that the team currently needs.
Only time will tell what lineup Mike Budenholzer decides to go with on opening night next season.