It looked like the Milwaukee Bucks were trending toward entering the 2025-26 NBA season with their lone true small forwards being Taurean Prince and Chris Livingston. However, the Bucks are always on the prowl to improve this roster, and they did so by signing Amir Coffey, who could serve as a new threat to these forwards.
Prince, Livingston must earn their keep with Bucks, or it could be taken
There's a reason Milwaukee Bucks fans have been clamoring for a trade involving a small forward for the past few months.
While Prince is a savvy veteran and Livingston boasts potential, they just aren't clear-cut difference-makers. Last season, Prince had a tremendous regular season, shooting 43.9 percent from distance. Yet, he fell off completely in the postseason, shooting 22.2 percent from the same spot. Livingston has put up just 1.3 points and 1.3 rebounds in just 4.7 minutes per game during his first two seasons.
That's where someone like Coffey could overtake them in the rotation if they aren't playing up to par.
Coffey himself isn't some superstar, but there is a lot to like. He's a strong perimeter shooter, decent defender, and is still fairly young at 28. He has all of the tools to fit in with the youth-driven focus this roster has implemented this summer. With no cemented answer at small forward, there would be no harm in seeing what Coffey has to offer.
That's where training camp comes into play. It just became far more important for all three of these players. While Prince and Livingston both have standard guaranteed contracts next season, Coffey doesn't. He's currently only slated to join the team for training camp, which should certainly have him more than motivated to prove he belongs there.
In turn, that could give Taurean Prince and Chris Livingston a little extra motivation to show out with the Milwaukee Bucks in training camp. There is nothing wrong with a little in-house competition.
If the Milwaukee Bucks like Coffey enough, they could outright sign him by letting go of fellow young player Andre Jackson Jr. If Milwaukee moves on from anyone, it would be Jackson, as his contract is not guaranteed until opening night. A three-player small forward rotation of Coffey, Livingston, and Prince, with a dash of Kyle Kuzma sprinkled in, isn't flashy, but there are some things to like.
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