Utilizing their own first round pick for the first time in four years, the Milwaukee Bucks selected MarJon Beauchamp 24th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft.
There was immediately a sense of optimism surrounding the pick from the fanbase, and not just because of Beauchamp’s incredible story and background. The G-League Ignite wing checked off plenty of boxes for this Bucks team, and everyone was anxious to see him on the court.
He did not play a key role throughout the regular season, having tallied 13.5 minutes per game in 52 appearances. Like all rookies, he showed some glimpses of potential but also some struggles. Now, after an embarrassing collapse against the Miami Heat, Milwaukee’s season is over, as is Beauchamp’s rookie campaign.
With his sophomore year on the horizon, Beauchamp’s development will be a key element for the Milwaukee Bucks this off-season, as the wing could and should take on a bigger role in year two.
MarJon Beauchamp’s off-season development will be crucial for the Bucks
It’s no secret that youth was a missing piece from the Bucks’ roster this past season. They had the NBA’s oldest roster and finished the season with only three players under the age of 27. Sure, it is feasible for a team with championship aspirations to load up on savvy veterans with boatloads of battle-tested experience, but the Bucks went overboard here. They need to embrace more youth next season, and Beauchamp could be an answer.
Beauchamp’s importance could also increase due to the uncertainty surrounding the wing rotation in Milwaukee. Jae Crowder and Wesley Matthews will be free agents, Khris Middleton has a player option, and Pat Connaughton and Grayson Allen could very well be involved in trade talks. If any of these players hit the road, Beauchamp could immediately be useful. Athletic wings are needed in today’s NBA, and the Bucks just do not have many of those right now.
One of the many reasons why the Beauchamp selection was so important was due to the limited options the Bucks have to improve their roster. With little spending money and trade assets, a first round talent could be of use. Other contending teams have hit on draft picks and turned younger players into stars, such as Miami’s Tyler Herro, Golden State’s Jordan Poole, and Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey. The Bucks desperately need to find their version of that player, and the hope is that it can be Beauchamp.
Beauchamp has the tools to succeed as a player in this league. He’s a 6-foot-6 wing who can take on multiple positions defensively; he’s also shown glimpses of potential offensively, having tallied 11 double-digit scoring performances in his limited minutes. He’s incredibly athletic and can jump out of the gym on fastbreaks.
The Bucks need more of this on the break next season.
— Dalton Sell (@sell_dalton) May 1, 2023
Get these two on the floor together. pic.twitter.com/OQ91lMH0pe
It’s certainly not a coincidence that those are all things the Bucks desperately need right now. If the 22-year-old spends the off-season in the gym getting stronger and working on his game, he could take the league by storm next season.
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