One of the best pickups and slightly sneaky additions for the Milwaukee Bucks this off-season was being able to re-sign sharpshooter A.J. Green to a multi-year deal. Last season, he impressed on a two-way deal, so the front office felt he was deserving of a full contract with the first of the three years being guaranteed.
Age: 23 (Birthday is September 27)
Position: Shooting Guard
2023-24 Salary: $1.9 million
NBA Experience: One Year
Last Season’s Stats: 4.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.2 steals, 0.0 blocks, 42.4 percent field goal shooting, 41.9 percent 3-point shooting, 100 percent free throw shooting in 9.9 minutes.
Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Is A.J. Green the secret weapon?
Despite being on that two-way contract, Green featured in 35 games for the Bucks, and his shooting is what made him stand out. It also ensured that he received a contract following the end of his two-way deal. The front office was so keen on keeping the guard that they tendered his two-way in order to match any deal that may have been thrown his way so that he could remain on the roster.
He could well be the Bucks’ secret weapon from the bench. Last season he shot 42 percent from three, and on seven occasions, he hit three or more shots from beyond the arc. That is where the Bucks need to improve following their playoff exit to the Miami Heat.
Head Coach Adrian Griffin is looking to have a younger roster, and on the cusp of his 24th birthday, Green fits the bill perfectly. If he impresses once again, then he can sign on for two more seasons, costing no more than $2.3 million, per Spotrac, which is a very team-friendly contract.
The familiarity he has with the team is already there from last season, and he will have been able to learn from the more experienced guards on the team and what it takes to be in the NBA. He fits well alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, providing spacing that can benefit the team and he is a trustworthy shooter already with the high volume of threes he has hit when playing in the league.
One problem that Green may face early is the log jam that is at the two-guard and wing position. Khris Middleton is set to start at the small forward position, and Grayson Allen will most likely start in the backcourt with Jrue Holiday at the beginning of the season. The bench will now see new signing Malik Beasley, Pat Connaughton, MarJon Beauchamp, and Andre Jackson Jr. all compete with Green for minutes. Griffin is likely to try various combinations early on to figure out what works so that come the postseason, the Bucks are in the best position rotation-wise.
Defensively, Green needs to improve too. He had times where he struggled to stay in front of his man last season, but that will come with time spent in the NBA, and working with the likes of Holiday and a great defensive mind in Griffin will only help him improve.
Green can certainly have an impact for the Bucks this season and can earn his way into the rotation and see substantial minutes off the bench. His shooting ability is essential in today’s game, and if he maintains that and improves on other areas of his game, then he really can be a huge asset and maybe the Bucks’ secret weapon this season.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis and player profiles for the upcoming NBA season.