The Milwaukee Bucks have no stability with their lineup combinations this season, with Doc Rivers constantly changing up the formula. Even Myles Turner, who has played a lesser role than everyone expected, came out and said, "I think everybody in the organization is trying to figure it out," when asked about the constant rotation shakeups.
Well, things aren't getting clearer anytime soon. Leading up to Milwaukee's matchup with the Miami Heat on Thursday, the Bucks could be as healthy as they have been all season. Not only is Taurean Prince back after sitting out since November 4, but Bobby Portis, Jericho Sims, and Kevin Porter Jr. are all questionable after missing time.
A healthy roster is a good thing, but it's going to make for some interesting new rotations as players and coaches continue adapting on the fly.
Bucks' lineup configurations are about to continue
If all of these players suit up for the Milwaukee Bucks, there will be plenty of question marks for Doc Rivers to tackle.
First and foremost, does Porter reclaim his starting spot, or will Rivers opt to stick with the supersized lineup that he's used lately? The coach has been open about wanting to use bigger lineups and might look to keep Ryan Rollins as the lone legitimate guard. Given how elite Rollins and Porter were during their time starting together, though, it would make sense to unite them again in the starting five.
How do things look at power forward/center with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyle Kuzma, Jericho Sims, Myles Turner, and Bobby Portis? Kuzma earned the first DNP-CD of his career recently, and Turner has taken a backseat to Sims in the rotation. With the second and third highest paid Bucks continue to be an afterthought in a healthy lineup?
Perhaps the most underrated storyline is the quiet battle between AJ Green and Taurean Prince at the small forward spot. Despite it being his first game since early November, Prince saw more time than Green against Phoenix. With Green struggling, Rivers very well may opt to see if he can get Prince back up to speed by throwing him into the fire in those minutes.
Time running out for Bucks to figure things out
Everyone knows the Milwaukee Bucks are losing ground in the Play-In race. They are currently five games back of the 10th seed. Time is running out, so if the Bucks want to make a push, now would be the time. With a potentially fully healthy roster, this team could be the best version of itself. The injury concerns cannot hold them back anymore. It's time for the rubber to meet the road.
It all starts with Thursday's matchup. If everyone plays, it will be fascinating to see how the Bucks operate with the healthiest roster they've had in a long time. Who will be in? Who will be banished to the bench? Who will get a trial run and then be yanked from the game? These are all questions that will be running through the mind of Doc Rivers.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.