The Milwaukee Bucks’ new emphasis on youth is highlighted by this stat

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 06 (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 06 (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

After getting thrashed by the Miami Heat in round one of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, it was clear that the Milwaukee Bucks needed to get younger and more athletic.

The Bucks, who had the oldest roster in the league, simply could not keep up with the Heat for the duration of the series. Understanding this, the team went out and added a handful of young pieces via free agency and the NBA Draft. One stat, which was posted by Behind the Buck Pass alum and current Gyro Step Podcast co-host Ti Windisch, captured the youth movement entirely.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ new emphasis on youth is highlighted by this stat

This is incredibly eye-catching. As mentioned previously, the Bucks had the NBA’s oldest roster in 2022-23. MarJon Beauchamp, a rookie, was the lone player in town born this century. The Bucks have now gone out and added a handful of young pieces to bring the average age on this roster down quite a bit, which is certainly a welcoming sign.

To be clear, simply adding youth doesn’t make the Bucks better. However, it’s nice to have some developmental pieces on the roster, as it’s something this team has scarcely had in recent years. With the proper development and guidance, players such as Beauchamp or Andre Jackson Jr. could possibly develop into nightly contributors.

One of Milwaukee’s biggest weaknesses last season was a lack of athleticism on the wing to keep up with more spry wings. Well, in addition to MarJon Beauchamp likely seeing the floor more, the team now has Jackson, Omari Moore, and Chris Livingston from this draft class. They are all above 6-foot-5 and can help the team in some capacity, whether it’s scoring, defense, or ball-handling.

The addition of TyTy Washington is also interesting. For years, the Bucks have cycled through too many backup point guards. From George Hill to D.J. Augustin to Jeff Teague to George Hill again to Jevon Carter, the Bucks have not found a steady, young guard. They now have a player who was a first round pick just over a year ago who could develop into a potential long-term option.

Ultimately, more youth doesn’t guarantee a championship, but if any of these players hit, it could certainly help extend Milwaukee’s current title window. Head Coach Adrian Griffin’s background in player development should help him get the best out of these young Milwaukee Bucks.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis and roster breakdowns.