Reintegrating Giannis Antetokounmpo into the lineup will not be a small task for the Milwaukee Bucks. Obviously, he's the engine that makes this team go, and Doc Rivers will be forced to tweak rotations. That creates some question marks regarding what happens to a few youngsters who have thrived in the Greek Freak's absence.
Bucks need to find time for youngsters even when Giannis returns
In recent games, several young Bucks have taken advantage of bigger chances. Pete Nance, trying to make it onto the standard roster, has looked excellent. Ousmane Dieng has come out firing during his short time in Milwaukee and looks like a difference-maker. Even Jericho Sims has shown major signs of growth, upping his production to become a two-way force.
All of these players will lose time upon Giannis' return, and understandably so. This is Giannis we are talking about here. However, that doesn't mean these players should be discarded from the rotation entirely. The Milwaukee Bucks are quietly forming a nice young core, and all of these players continue to show that they can help in their own ways.
Giannis will likely be on a minutes restriction for a while, so there may be some time available upon his return. Yet, the coaching staff should also let these youngsters eat into the time of Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma to really get the most out of them. While the two veterans have largely been fine, there is no denying how impactful the younger names have been lately.
Of the bunch, Ousmane Dieng absolutely needs to stay in the rotation. He's been playing like he's the steal of the trade deadline, putting up some of the best performances of his young career. With Doc Rivers making it clear he wants to use Dieng at small forward, there may even be opportunities for the newcomer to play a good chunk of his minutes next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. That should happen.
In addition to the frontcourt question marks, one has to wonder how Cam Thomas will look next to the Greek Freak. With Antetokounmpo out, Thomas has had the greenest of lights offensively, and he's taken advantage. Will the superstar's return throw off his rhythm? Could Giannis' gravity help him play even better? Right now, there's simply no telling.
Giannis has no clear-cut return date yet, but his return is near. He wants to push for the postseason, and if the Milwaukee Bucks want to do the same, they must figure out how to get the best out of him and the team's other breakout players.
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