Even now, in the early days of this post-Giannis Antetokounmpo era, it's looked like the Bucks still forsook their small forward position in much the same way as they did in those years after losing PJ Tucker and trying to replace him with the likes of Semi Ojeleye and Rodney Hood. But it's looking like this team knows exactly what its roster needs are, considering the latest rumors surrounding the front office.
In separate posts, NBA insiders reported that the Bucks were interested in both Jonathan Kuminga, according to Marc Stein on The Stein Line (subscription required), and Peyton Watson, per Tony Jones of The Athletic. That should only tell us one thing: the Bucks know that the small forward position is their last need left to fill. And they're laser focused on plugging that hole before heading into next season.
The Bucks' interest in Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson should be encouraging to fans
Jon Horst and company have never been one to shy away from risk taking, and this case is no different. If the Bucks were to land either of Kuminga or Watson, they'd not only be securing their forward of the future, they'd also all but guarantee that they'd be somewhat competitive next season, too, which is something they reportedly wanted anyway.
Kuminga is the higher-upside prospect of the two. He has elite physical tools, as his combination of size, strength, and explosive leaping ability gives him the raw material he needs to be a primary isolation scorer and an elite, versatile defender. But his production isn't as celebrated: he averaged just 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists this season.
On the other hand, Watson initially drew attention for his All-NBA defensive ceiling, as he's shown over the years that he is more than capable of locking down primary scorers, swatting shots, and racking up deflections. But it's his offensive game that took time to really unlock, and it's still unclear how far he can take his game in that regard.
Milwaukee needs to lock in their small forward of the future soon
In any event, the Bucks would be lucky to have either of them, as they'd mark the last piece of the puzzle and give the team a real idea of what they can look like in the future. The small forward position is their last achilles' heel left, and if the reported interest is true, this writer expects them to address that sooner rather than later.
After losing Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have done a fine job reloading and retooling for the future. They have their guards in Burries, Rollins, and Jakucionis. They have their frontcourt in Ament, Dieng, and Ware. What is their small forward rotation going to be?
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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