Develop: A.J. Green
Green was on a two-way contract with the Bucks last season after going undrafted out of Northern Iowa. He saw action in 35 games but only played 345 minutes with the Bucks during his rookie campaign. The 6’4 guard did dominate the G League as he averaged 21.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 33.6 minutes per game during the regular season.
Green is a sharpshooter. He shot 37.8 percent from 3-point range during his four seasons at Northern Iowa. Last season, the 6’4 guard hit 42.6 percent over 155 attempts in the G League and was 41.9 percent on 105 NBA tries. The Bucks desperately need shooting around Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Green can certainly provide it.
The 23-year-old got upgraded to a standard contract this summer, and his shooting will earn him minutes. Can he hold his own defensively? Improving on that end of the floor is his key to a consistent role and more nightly playing time. He cannot just be a shooter if he wants to play every night.
A.J. Green was a fantastic undrafted find for the Milwaukee Bucks, and the 23-year-old should only get better. The franchise was smart to sign him to a three-year deal this summer, and fans should be excited to see how improves moving forward.