Grading Chris Livingston’s historic rookie deal with the Milwaukee Bucks
By Dalton Sell
Breaking down Chris Livingston’s fit and role with the Milwaukee Bucks
Entering the off-season, the Bucks had a shortage of wing players above 6-foot-5. With the new additions of Jackson and Livingston, they added support by bringing in a pair of 6-foot-6 players. Jackson is more ready than the 19-year-old Livingston, but they both have to tools to help out if called upon this coming season.
When Livingston gets on the floor, it will be because of his defense. The 6-foot-6 forward weighs in at 220 lbs, giving the Bucks a bulky yet very versatile defender. Throughout the past few years, one of Milwaukee’s significant flaws has been its undersized wings being taken advantage of by the opposition. Livingston will not immediately come in and be an elite defender, but he has both the size and strength to make an impact on that end once he gets his legs under him.
The fit defensively is great, but there are questions involving how Livingston can make his mark on the offensive side of the ball. Livingston didn’t showcase much at Kentucky, having averaged just 6.3 points while shooting 30.5 percent from three. While it seems like the Bucks will not be living and dying by the 3-pointer as much as they have in recent years, it would still certainly help if the role players can hit them. Livingston will have to work on that outside shot.
On day one, his role likely will not be prominent. When he checks in, Livingston will be tasked with playing tough defense while also hauling in rebounds. He’s been an enforcer on the glass during a four-game Summer League showing thus far, and hopefully he can keep that up. If he can give the Bucks both of those in spurts, it would help mightily.