Bucks sitting on exciting experiment begging to be explored

Ousmane Dieng has wasted no time making his mark with the Milwaukee Bucks, earning what should be a sizable role in the second half. While Dieng's arrival likely means a minutes reduction for Pete Nance, don't forget about him altogether. 

Against Oklahoma City, injury absences from Myles Turner and Ryan Rollins created more opportunities for everyone, allowing for a combined 60 minutes of court time between Dieng and Nance. Both are nimble, floor-spacing forwards who can make plays on both ends. That's a perfect fit for what the Bucks want to do. 

Though chances will be limited, where possible, finding spots to pair them together could yield intriguing returns for Doc Rivers' rotations. 

Bucks must manufacture chances to play these two together 

Dieng stole the show versus the Thunder, but Nance put in solid contributions, too, with 11 points, seven rebounds, and two assists off the bench. Showcasing his versatility, Nance went 3-for-5 from long range and also registered a block. 

It was a strong contrast to his limited role a day earlier in Orlando, when Dieng consumed most of his typical playing time. With Turner healthy in the starting five, Dieng came off the bench and Nance barely played. 

The pair's combined upside is obvious. While Dieng is a bit more of an offensive playmaker (he dropped six dimes on the Thunder), both bring energy up and down the floor. Nance doesn't have Dieng's handle, but he is a solid screen-setter and a good passer for a big man. 

On the glass, they offer rebounding ability the Bucks can't expect from small-ball lineups while still being able to play fast and get out in transition. Defensively, a 7-foot wing span allows both Dieng and Nance to disrupt shots in the paint and muddle passing lanes. Switching to defend any position from the three to smaller fives isn't a problem. 

Realistically, Nance could see a severely capped role down the stretch, assuming decent team health. Giannis Antetokounmpo will return after the All-Star break. Even as he plays through a likely minutes restriction in the early going, that will obviously reduce chances for others in the frontcourt. 

Particularly if Nance remains on a two-way contract, he would seem to be the odd man out. Two-way players can only be available for 50 NBA games per season, and Nance has already been listed as active in 32. 

One consideration that could let the Bucks experiment more with this combo, at least as far as his two-way status allows, is by focusing Dieng's minutes at small forward. He has flashed the shot creation skills to make him a match, if perhaps an unconventional one. Moreover, his 6-foot-9, 185-pound frame already puts his so-called natural position somewhere between the three and the four.

Nance, listed at 6-foot-9 and 225, is more suited to being a flexible four or even a small-ball five.

Rivers could easily trot out both players with any of his other options in the frontcourt: Giannis, Turner, Bobby Portis, Jericho Sims, or Kyle Kuzma. In the future, such opportunities might come mostly near the end of games with the outcome already decided, but the promise of a Dieng-Nance pairing is worth another look.