Heading into the season, there was potential surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks' center rotation, with the veteran Myles Turner, the blue-chip prospect Kel'el Ware, and Jericho Sims as a solid third string to provide a different look. Nine games into the season, though, it's starting to look really ugly at the five spot.
Bucks' difficulties at the center position
Turner's sluggish start to the season was highlighted by an absolute nightmare showing against the Toronto Raptors. He had zero points on seven field goal attempts as the Raptors scored 58 points in the paint and shot 8-of-14 (57.1 percent) when guarded by Turner. Jakob Poeltl had a field day, making 4-of-5 (80 percent) against the Bucks' big man.
Milwaukee made a lot happen to sign Turner to a four-year, $108 million deal, but he is currently averaging career lows in points, field goal percentage, and 3-point percentage.
Defensively, he's still been strong despite the offensive woes. His shot-blocking is still good at 2.7 per game, and he's holding opponents to 40.4 percent shooting from the field; it's just increasingly difficult to see him remain in the starting lineup due to his struggles elsewhere.
Ware is averaging close to a double-double off the bench with 9.6 points and 7.7 rebounds. Like many young players in the league, he is incredibly inconsistent, as he's shooting just 20 percent from deep, down from 39.5 percent last season. However, his three double-doubles with 19 points twice and 16 points once show the potential and that letting him start may be the way forward.
Sims has had to bide his time and is yet to make a basket in a total of 32 minutes. He does provide energy and a lob threat, but we know he won't ever fill the stat sheet. Yes, it's limited minutes, but he is the only Bucks player with a positive plus-minus right now.
Is embracing the youth the solution?
Turner's deal will be tough to move, especially with his level of play right now. Lots of moves like this one were made to save the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, and they are preventing the Bucks from moving forward.
Ware is raw and still has lots to develop, but, like Brayden Burries, letting him take the starting spot is a possibility to allow him to find his feet in his new home and develop. Young players need to make mistakes and be allowed to make them; having him sit on the bench for long stretches while those on the court struggle doesn't really benefit anyone.
It's a tough position for Taylor Jenkins to be in, as the construction of the center rotation looks like it should be good, but right now it isn't. Turner is playing badly, and that only further hurts his trade value. Ware is inconsistent; Sims provides energy but won't add much in terms of the box score. Big decisions need to be made, as what looked to be a strength of this roster is becoming a weakness.
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