With the Bucks needing a boost, the stage is set for this breakout candidate

The Milwaukee Bucks are off to a wobbly 1-4 start, and while fans are itching for that familiar winning rhythm, there’s a new question buzzing around Fiserv Forum: Who’s going to inject some much-needed energy into this aging Milwaukee lineup?

Let’s face it—this is not the 2021 championship Bucks. The team has gotten older, and in the NBA, that doesn’t just mean more experience; it means less zip, slower rotations, and an inability to keep up with the league’s youth-driven pace. This is a team that’s simply not built to sprint with the likes of the Thunder, Kings, or even the revamped Magic.

Adding to the mix is the news that MarJon Beauchamp might be heading out of Milwaukee. While Beauchamp has shown flashes of potential, his role has been inconsistent, and his departure could pave the way for someone else to grab those minutes and shake up the team’s dynamic.

Enter Andre Jackson Jr., whose latest minutes against the shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies make the case that the answer might be simpler than expected. With Connaughton's decline in full view and Beauchamp rumored to be on the trade block, the stage is set for Jackson to step up and be the breakout player the Milwaukee Bucks desperately need.

The answer to the Milwaukee Bucks' problems is already on their bench

The 22-year-old sophomore out of UConn didn’t come into the league with the flashiest pedigree, but he’s precisely what the Bucks need right now—a sparkplug. Jackson’s skill set screams energy: defensive tenacity, quick feet, and a relentless motor that doesn’t quit until the final whistle.

In Andre Jackson Jr.'s nearly 14 minutes of action and 69.6 partial possessions played thus far this season, opposing players have gone 1-of-7 (14.3 percent) with him as the closest defender. 

But it's in the hustle statistics category where he truly begins to shine. He's only played eight minutes per game through four games, but he is already third on the team in loose balls recovered per game (0.5).

Per 36 minutes, Jackson leads the team in steals per game (4.5). He trails only Brook Lopez on the Bucks in both screen assists and screen assist points per game, with 3.4 and 7.9, respectively. He also leads the Bucks outright in deflections (7.9) and defensive loose balls recovered (1.1) per 36.

The Bucks' main problem is speed and athleticism, and Jackson brings those to the table in spades. He's leading the team in average speed with a measurement of 4.96, which far exceeds that of any of the Milwaukee Bucks' starting five. 

His energy and effort are most evident when it comes to crashing the glass. Jackson is behind only the three big men in Antetokounmpo, Lopez, and Portis in contested rebounds per game on the Milwaukee Bucks, while outright leading the team in contested rebound percentage.

But beyond stats, it’s the eye test that makes him stand out. Bucks fans have seen too many blown closeouts and sluggish rotations in the past few games. Jackson doesn’t just close out—he attacks shooters and fights through screens, providing a level of hustle that’s been absent from the team’s defensive sets.

Something needs to change for the aging Bucks

The Bucks are at a crossroads. They can either stick with what they know—relying on seasoned veterans and hoping experience outplays youthful energy—or they can pivot to a more balanced approach. Inserting Jackson into the rotation signals that Milwaukee is serious about addressing its biggest flaws. It’s a bet on youth, hustle and speed in a league where those qualities often spell the difference between winning and losing.

The argument for giving Andre Jackson Jr. more playing time at the expense of a veteran like Pat Connaughton isn’t just trendy—it’s necessary.

Connaughton, for all his hustle and past contributions, is now finding his place in the rotation more a result of nostalgia than current performance. At 31, his athleticism isn’t what it once was, and he hasn’t been able to provide the reliable shooting or defensive chops to justify significant minutes.

Meanwhile, Jackson Jr. possesses the kind of burst, defensive intensity, and raw athleticism that could inject life into Milwaukee's aging roster. His knack for staying active off the ball and causing havoc on defense might be exactly what the Bucks need to ignite their rotations, especially when matchups turn into track meets.

None of this to imply that Jackson is even close to being a finished product. His development, especially on the offensive side of the ball, has been rather sluggish, to say the least. His lack of scoring is what it is, and so is his propensity to give up fouls as easily as he puts up bricks.

But for the time being, perhaps it may be time to at least entertain the idea that the answer to Milwaukee's problems is already on their bench. The numbers don't lie, and a cursory glance at the advanced data only makes the argument for more minutes for Jackson grow stronger. His sophomore jitters, as it currently stands, may be fixable if he gets his mistakes out of the way early.

Milwaukee’s season is far from over, but adjustments need to be made. If Andre Jackson Jr. is given the keys to a bigger role, the Milwaukee Bucks may just find the answer to their early-season woes. It’s time to embrace youth and energy, and Jackson is poised to be the breakout candidate who could rewrite the Bucks’ narrative.

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