When he's not displaying his near-elite athleticism as a rebounder in garbage time minutes for the Milwaukee Bucks, second-year forward Chris Livingston is quietly making waves in the G-League, putting up numbers that demand attention.
Through 13 games with the Wisconsin Herd, the forward has been a force, averaging 18.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting a respectable 34 percent from deep. It’s an impressive start for the 21-year-old, but Milwaukee fans can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu.
The Milwaukee Bucks have been down this road before with Christian Wood.
Back in 2018, Wood lit up the G-League as a member of the Herd, averaging 29.3 points, 14 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. Despite his dominance, Milwaukee never gave him a meaningful opportunity at the NBA level, and he was ultimately waived.
It didn’t take long for the league to realize what the Milwaukee Bucks let slip away. Wood went on to carve out a solid career as a scoring big, with notable stints in Detroit and Houston.
That misstep has haunted Bucks fans who wonder what could have been. The team can’t afford to make the same mistake with Chris Livingston, especially given the flashes he’s shown early in his professional career.
The Bucks have already wasted G-League talent once before
A cursory glance at his physical tools should be proof enough that Livingston can bring more than just raw numbers to the table. At 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, he has the physical tools to develop into a versatile wing—something every NBA contender covets. His rebounding instincts and willingness to do the dirty work make him an asset, and his 34 percent clip from three shows he’s at the very least capable of spacing the floor, a key skill in the Milwaukee Bucks' offense.
It should also be said that Livingston’s G-League performances suggest a player eager to prove himself. He’s not just scoring; he’s contributing in multiple areas, showing growth in his decision-making and defensive effort. These are the kinds of traits that should earn him a longer look, especially for a Milwaukee Bucks team that values depth and versatility.
Milwaukee’s championship aspirations mean the margin for error is slim. While veterans like Bobby Portis have defined roles, the Bucks also need to think about the long-term pipeline of contributors. Giving Livingston meaningful NBA minutes—whether in garbage time or during stretches of the regular season—could accelerate his development and give the team a clearer picture of his potential. At this point, he's at the very least shown the flashes that warrant a bigger opportunity.
The Bucks have the resources to avoid repeating their mistake with Wood. The G-League exists as a proving ground, and Livingston has passed every test so far. The next step is giving him a chance to show he belongs on the NBA stage.
Now, obviously, Chris Livingston isn’t guaranteed to become a star, but the Bucks’ history with Christian Wood proves the dangers of dismissing a standout too early. Milwaukee has a unique opportunity to rewrite the narrative—turning Livingston’s promise into a meaningful role on a contending team rather than letting him flourish elsewhere.
The ball is in their court. Let’s hope they don’t drop it this time.
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