Sure, the Milwaukee Bucks' next starting lineup, whatever it might look like, will not be headlined by Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the projected group is already being overlooked. Bleacher Report NBA writer Greg Swartz ranked all of the starting fives after the recent LeBron James signing, and he put the Bucks all the way at the bottom. That feels low, and it should motivate this group.
Bucks' lineup is being underrated
Swartz lists Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Kuzma, and Myles Turner as Milwaukee's projected starting five next season. Is that a championship-caliber five? Likely not. Could they quietly be better than many expect and surprise some teams next season? Perhaps. Even if someone isn't high on this unit, ranking them 30th feels far-fetched.
First off, Herro and Rollins are a fascinating backcourt. A former All-Star, Herro will have the greenest of lights in Milwaukee's offense and could reach new heights. Rollins just had a career year on offense and is one of the most underrated defenders in the NBA. These two should complement one another very well and carry a significant portion of the burden most nights.
The entire NBA has seemingly also given up on Myles Turner after one bad season. Before coming to the dysfunctional Milwaukee Bucks, Turner was dang near an elite two-way big man who could hang with the best of them. With a new coach who helped coach Jaren Jackson Jr. to a Defensive Player of the Year win, Turner should be much better.
The most pressing concern comes from the two forward spots. Kuzma and Jaquez aren't exactly a perfect fit, given that neither is a great shooter and could butt-heads down low. If Swartz has an issue with that pairing, it is incredibly justifiable. However, the shooting that the other three provide could lower thsoe concerns at least somewhat.
Bucks should rank higher than other units
One slot above the Bucks are the Brooklyn Nets, projected to roll out a unit of Mikel Brown Jr., Egor Demin, Michael Porter Jr., Julius Randle, and Day'Ron Sharpe. That's questionable, especially since the two most high-profile players, Porter and Randle, were salary dumps in which their old teams had to attach draft capital to them to move them.
The Memphis Grizzlies land at 27th with a lineup of Ty Jerome, Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward, Cam Boozer, and Zach Edey. Even if Coward takes a leap and Boozer is a star right out of the gates, they will still be surrounded by three unknowns in Jerome, Wells, and Edey. The Bucks are arguably more well-put together than them.
Truly, it's still too early to tell. The Milwaukee Bucks could be good; they could be bad. Right now, all we have to go off of is what is on paper. Sometimes, what is on paper doesn't translate to the court—remember the Damian Lillard era? The only way to truly find out where this group ranks amongst the rest of the NBA is to wait to see it in action.
These five players can only use this ranking as fuel for the season.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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