The Milwaukee Bucks just made an under-the-radar move that could have long-term implications for their roster.
The Wisconsin Herd, the Bucks' G-League affiliate, added former lottery pick Dennis Smith Jr. to their roster.
While this might seem like a minor transaction at first glance, it could signal that Milwaukee is looking ahead to fill potential gaps or gain flexibility for future deals.
A lot has been said about possible moves for the Bucks in the future, but at the end of the day, they're a cash-strapped team with hardly any assets to move. In reality, they might have to build assets out of thin air, which is what this move might lead to.
The Bucks might have something brewing with their G-League affiliate
Dennis Smith Jr. is not your typical G-League pickup.
The former ninth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career but has struggled to find consistency. And even though he'll likely never be a star in this league, the fact that he was picked ninth means there was a lot of hope that he could, at the very least, be a decent NBA player.
Last season, he played 56 games with the Brooklyn Nets, averaging 6.6 points, 3.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 44 percent from the field. Known for his athleticism and playmaking, Smith has also developed into a reliable perimeter defender, which could be crucial for a Milwaukee Bucks team in need of defensive depth on the perimeter.
At just 27 years old, it's entirely possible that Smith might still have some untapped potential left in tank considering the multiple injuries that derailed his career thus far, and the Herd's system might be the perfect place for him to rebuild his value.
Milwaukee’s current roster is built around a win-now philosophy, with aging veterans like Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton playing significant roles. The addition of Smith to their G-League affiliate, should the Bucks decide to call him up at any point in the season, could give them another option should injuries or fatigue impact the team as the season progresses.
They're also slowly moving back to their identity as a defense-first team, which opens up an area of need defending point guards at the point of attack. When the Bucks traded Jrue Holiday, they also traded the best defender in the association at that position. While Damian Lillard's offensive production has been worth the tradeoff, the Bucks have certainly struggled to keep point guards in check as of late.
More intriguingly, it could be a signal that the Bucks are positioning themselves for potential trade discussions down the line. Smith’s athleticism and defensive chops make him an appealing asset for teams looking for backcourt depth. If the Bucks are eyeing a bigger deal near the trade deadline, having a player like Smith in the pipeline could provide added flexibility in negotiations.
This is admittedly the more likely scenario, as the Bucks already have Ryan Rollins, Delon Wright, Pat Connaughton and even AJ Johnson sharing the end-of-bench minutes at point guard and shooting guard. There simply aren't any minutes left to spare for a player like Smith on this team.
But the bigger story here is that the Bucks have been proactive in leveraging the G-League to develop talent and evaluate players who might fill critical gaps in the future. With the Wisconsin Herd, Milwaukee has a low-risk, high-reward scenario with Smith. If he thrives, he could earn a call-up and provide meaningful minutes off the bench. If not, the Bucks still maintain flexibility without a significant financial commitment.
As the Milwaukee Bucks continue to contend for championships in the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, they must strike a delicate balance between winning now and preparing for the future. Moves like this—quiet but calculated—show that Milwaukee is thinking several steps ahead.
Dennis Smith Jr.'s addition to the Wisconsin Herd, if he does end up playing there, as there are some questions about how long he may stick around, might not move the needle today, but it could prove significant down the road, either as depth, trade capital, or a reclamation success story.
For the Milwaukee Bucks, laying the groundwork for future flexibility is just another step in building a sustainable contender.
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