The dust has settled on the blockbuster Giannis Antetokounmpo trade that shook up the Milwaukee Bucks beyond belief this summer. Outside of two smaller moves to trim the roster, this looks like the group Milwaukee will start its new era with. It's an interesting, potential-filled group, but one of the big lingering questions is who will be the long-term answer in Giannis' place.
Bucks could use a boost at power forward
Milwaukee's current power forward room consists of Kyle Kuzma, Ousmane Dieng, Pete Nance, Nate Ament, and Bogoljub Markovic. With all due respect to all of them, none of them are home-run hitters who could end this conversation from day one next season. They are either stopgap options, long-term development projects, or somewhere in between.
Kuzma, the most experienced player among the bunch, looks poised to start. He is anything but the long-term solution to the power forward position, though, given that this team is shifting its focus to youth in the wake of Giannis' departure. On an expiring contract, it would be surprising to see him on the Milwaukee Bucks next season.
Nance may not even make the opening night roster due to his non-guaranteed deal and a roster trim coming. Dieng showed glimpses of potential last season, and perhaps he could take strides, but only time will tell there. Ament and Markovic look like they could be contributors down the line, but time is absolutely needed. Also, some may classify Ament as a small forward, worsening the issue further.
Unlike the guard and center positions, which have clear-cut long-term answers, the Milwaukee Bucks may have some work to do to figure out the four spot this coming season.
Bucks have options to find their power forward
While it's unclear just how interested they were, the Milwaukee Bucks at least thought about making a splash for a solution to this predicament. Peyton Watson and Jonathan Kuminga came up in murmurs over the summer and would have been interesting pieces to add to this retooling. Yet, the Bucks held off, seemingly wanting to gather what their in-house talent has before looking externally.
Armed with a significant trade exception worth $25.5 million, the Bucks could make a splash during the season if an option pops up. As always, new players become available each and every season. Perhaps Milwaukee's answer to their power forward shortage will become one of the next players to seek a change of scenery.
For now, they are justified in holding out and seeing what they have. If someone cements themselves as the answer, great. If not, the Milwaukee Bucks must cast a much wider net.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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