The Milwaukee Bucks need more from Jevon Carter offensively

At 5-7 in their last 12 games, the Milwaukee Bucks have undoubtedly hit a rough patch lately.

Without question, the team has struggled for a myriad of reasons. Rather than focus on those grueling losses, Giannis Antetokounmpo has done his part to try and get his team focused on getting better moving forward. The Bucks will aim to get back on the right track starting on their upcoming road trip, and they will have to take several steps to do so. A big factor that could help the Bucks get going would be Jevon Carter, who has really struggled lately, regaining his rhythm.

The Milwaukee Bucks need more from Jevon Carter offensively

Jevon Carter’s struggles did not start during Milwaukee’s 5-7 stretch, as they have been ongoing for quite some time. In December, Carter averaged 5.6 points while shooting 37 percent from the floor. Things have not gotten any better for him in 2023, as Carter is averaging 5.5 points on 28.1 percent from the floor in his first four games of January. Carter is certainly not solely to blame for Milwaukee’s offensive struggles, but given the impact he has had when that shot has fallen, he could be one to help turn things around.

In November, Carter proved he could be a difference-maker on that side of the ball. The guard had one of the best statistical months of his career by averaging 11.4 points while burying 48 percent of his field goals and 49.1 of his triples. He was in an incredible groove that month, but after being pulled from Milwaukee’s starting lineup, he has not found a sustainable groove offensively. If the backup point guard can start knocking down his shots, especially from three, with regularity again, it could help a bench brigade that has struggled mightily to put points on the board.

Carter’s importance to the Bucks is especially crucial right now because he is one of the few pieces outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday who can create their own shot at will. Without Khris Middleton, shot creation is an area the Bucks have struggled mightily with this season. While Carter might not replicate Middleton’s production, he could certainly help in his absence, as he put on display throughout November. If Carter can get back into a flow and start knocking down some of his shots, it would alleviate pressure off of Antetokounmpo and Holiday.

More than anything else, the Bucks need Carter to start knocking down his outside shots. He has shot just 19-of-60 (31.7 percent) from three throughout January and December. In November, he was lights out, having shot 28-of-57 (49.1 percent) from deep. The Bucks could desperately use a sharpshooting Carter once again, given how poorly the whole team has shot it lately. Carter was at well above 40 percent from deep for a good chunk of the season, so he is more than capable. If he can start hitting those, it would be a huge boost that could help him and the Bucks get going.

In short, Carter’s play will not dictate Milwaukee’s success at the end of the day, but there is no doubt that he could be a significant role player. As he showed earlier this season, he can be a big piece offensively when that shot is falling. It is common knowledge that Carter will always give it his all defensively, but when he is also knocking down shots, he becomes a great two-way piece. Due to his offense and defensive capabilities, Carter could be a big wild card for this Bucks team.

Stay tuned to see if Carter can get it going as the Milwaukee Bucks look for better days ahead.