With a retooled roster, Doc Rivers will have plenty of names to choose from when crafting rotations this coming season. Though the roster features a younger, more athletic, and fresher appeal top to bottom, there won't be room for everyone. Let's break down a few players who will be fighting for an opportunity to earn consistent minutes.
Gary Harris
The Gary Harris signing has been an interesting one from the beginning, given that he is coming off one of the least-productive seasons of his career and that Milwaukee already has several players at shooting guard. Nevertheless, Harris is being looked at as a reclamation project/depth piece, but the guard could sneak his way into some lineups if he bounces back from last year's shortcomings.
The appeal with Harris is there. He's a versatile, 6-foot-4 defender who can match up with countless positions and shoot the long ball well. The Milwaukee Bucks can never have too many of those on the roster. On paper, he will be the backup to Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green, serving as key depth in case the Bucks need a body at the position.
Chris Livingston
The Milwaukee Bucks made their stance clear on Chris Livingston by re-signing him to a one-year contract recently. On paper, Livingston is just one of two standard small forwards the roster has, with the other being Taurean Prince. Doc Rivers will certainly trust Taurean Prince more, just like last year, but with a new emphasis on youth, there is a chance Livingston could crack the rotation.
It all may hinge on how Prince performs to start the season. Rivers wasn't shy about demoting former Buck Delon Wright last season despite his veteran stature, opting for the younger Ryan Rollins to take his place. Perhaps Prince could meet the same fate if he fails to live up to expectations as the roster embraces youth, speed, and athleticism.
Jericho Sims
It'll be hard for Jericho Sims to earn significant minutes with Myles Turner and Bobby Portis ahead of him at the center spot. However, Sims stands out because of his athletic ability, which is a prominent advantage he boasts over the other two. He can leap out of the gym for blocks and dunks, getting in transition and making his presence felt. Milwaukee needs that type of player on the floor.
Sims might not be a 20-minute per game player, but the Milwaukee Bucks should find time for him in spurts to take some of the load off of Turner and Portis. Rivers can keep all three fresh for a late-year push by keeping Sims in his back pocket rather than burying him on the bench. It helps that all three centers bring different things to the table, fueling greater versatility in lineup combinations.
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