The NBA All-Star Weekend has allowed the Milwaukee Bucks to get some much-needed rest as they look ahead to an important second part of the season.
Currently fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 29-24 record, the Bucks have struggled to find consistency in 2025, and in order to alter their season, general manager Jon Horst made some big moves by acquiring Kyle Kuzma, Jericho Sims and Kevin Porter Jr. as they look to improve and contend for an NBA title.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo missing the last six regular season games and All-Star festivities, Doc Rivers has not had the opportunity to see his superstar play alongside the new additions, leaving him with some huge calls to make when the team returns to action.
Let's take a look at three Milwaukee Bucks who need to see their minutes increase and three who need a decrease post-All-Star break.
Increase: Jericho Sims
It is quite baffling how we are yet to see Sims in action for the Milwaukee Bucks, as he was almost the perfect trade deadline pickup on such a small deal. He was exchanged for veteran guard Delon Wright, who really disappointed Bucks fans. Adding a 6-foot-10 26-year-old who is extremely explosive and athletic was exactly what Milwaukee needed.
At times, it has been tough watching Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis struggle in the frontcourt. When sharing the court, it is clear teams target the two and are an issue in transition and struggle closing out on shooters. Offensively, Sims is not a huge threat, but he still can provide help in the pick-and-roll as a lob threat and relentless rebounder. Why we haven't seen him yet, who knows, but there is certainly a void he can fill on the court.
Decrease: Brook Lopez
Lopez has been such a key part of the Bucks' success since his arrival back in 2018, but now, at 36, it is clear that his defensive versatility is becoming a real issue. There is, without a doubt, a spot for him in the rotation, as the frontcourt partnership he and Giannis have formed has always worked so well.
With the additions of Kuzma, Sims and even rookie Tyler Smith, there are more possibilities for the Bucks to be versatile and athletic in the frontcourt, which is something that Lopez gets exposed for very often. Under Mike Budenholzer and with Jrue Holiday as the point guard, we saw the best of those two, but Lillard is not an elite-level defender like Holiday, and in these past two seasons, it has been tough watching Lopez.
The center doesn't need a drastic decrease, but he is still averaging 31.8 minutes per game. Some of those minutes can go to the more versatile players.
Increase: A.J. Green
A.J. Green has had another season of growth as a Buck, and the former two-way player has become an integral part of the roster. Green is averaging 7.7 points and 2.3 rebounds on great shooting splits of .431/.427/.889. That 3-point shooting has been so important for the team as they sit second in the league in 3-point percentage at 38.7 percent.
What has been most impressive from Green this season has been his defensive improvement. A defended field goal percentage of 47.2 percent and defensive rating of 116.6 don't jump off the page, but he has gone from being a real liability defensively to bringing much-needed athleticism and energy on that side.
As the Milwaukee Bucks now have an opportunity to play smaller with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kyle Kuzma in the frontcourt, it could open more opportunities for Green to play the two.
Decrease: Andre Jackson Jr.
Maybe the harshest decrease of all the players involves sophomore Andre Jackson Jr. The wing took part in the Dunk Contest over All-Star weekend and has shown he is an important piece for the Milwaukee Bucks. However, offensively, he has struggled to take a step forward, and despite how vital his defense is, he is almost ineffective in some games on offense.
On the season, he is averaging 3.9 points and 3.2 rebounds on splits of .471/.386/.556. With him struggling to add a consistent 3-point shot - attempting over 1.4 per game - he finds himself sometimes standing on the perimeter and struggling to get involved. That is frustrating, but also, his vertical ability has not been shown with backdoor cuts or lobs.
Nine times this season, he has played over 10 minutes and not registered a single point. Jackson deserves to be a part of the rotation, and his defense is invaluable. Yet, when the Bucks need it, he finds himself adding very little offensively. He will likely see a minutes decrease, with Green, Gary Trent Jr. or Porter benefitting.
Increase: Tyler Smith
Similarly to Sims, Smith can address some of the continued problems the Bucks are having with frontcourt athleticism. He is a clear long-term replacement for Portis with a great ability to score at all levels and brings the energy of a young big man Milwaukee has desperately been looking for.
With AJ Johnson now on the Washington Wizards following the Kuzma trade, the Bucks' draft picks from this season now lie solely with Smith. He has only featured 15 times in the NBA but is shooting .500/.400/.500 and could make a nice pairing with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In the G-League, Smith is averaging 10.7 points, six rebounds, a block and a steal per game. He clearly has an offensive game the Milwaukee Bucks can benefit from. He is not yet ready to be a huge piece of the rotation but can certainly make an impact and contribute more in the second portion of the NBA season.
Decrease: Pat Connaughton
The final player on this is still strange to be talking about, but when Pat Connaughton plays, he is logging a decent chunk of minutes. There are plenty of times when he does not play, but he is still averaging 15 minutes per game in the 30 games he has played in.
Recently, he even played 26 minutes in the win over the Charlotte Hornets, although the Bucks were without a couple of players due to injury.
Connaughton may offer more guarantee due to his experience, but when he is playing 12-15 minutes in certain games, it feels like there is an opportunity for those minutes to go to someone like Smith or Chris Livingston. He has very little impact, which makes it even more baffling as to why his minutes haven't gone to a younger player who can become a key cog for the team later on in the season.
Porter has had an impact already, and he may see Connaughton's minutes decrease, but it is still very confusing to see him playing so many minutes on some nights.
Rivers and the coaching staff have some big calls to make in the upcoming portion of the season. Some will benefit, and others won't. We haven't seen the new additions playing alongside Giannis yet, so it will be interesting to see how they work together and what different looks the Milwaukee Bucks try.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks news and analysis.