For weeks leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline, it felt clear that if the Milwaukee Bucks freed up one of their roster spots, it would go to Ryan Rollins.
The two-way guard has been a nice piece for Milwaukee this season, giving them life off the bench as a backup ball-handler. Given that he doesn't have a standard contract, he is currently eligible to play only a handful of games moving forward, and if the NBA Playoffs started today, he would not be able to play. A standard contract would eradicate these issues entirely.
When the Bucks traded Patrick Baldwin Jr. to the San Antonio Spurs to open a roster spot, it felt like a foregone conclusion that Rollins would be getting his deal. However, in a surprising move right at the trade deadline buzzer, the Milwaukee Bucks swung a trade for another guard in Kevin Porter Jr. of the LA Clippers. Now, Rollins may have some competition.
Do the Bucks sign Rollins? A wing? Someone else?
The Milwaukee Bucks could absolutely still sign Ryan Rollins; there would be no controversy with that decision. However, bringing in yet another ball-handling guard at least poses the question of whether they want to utilize Porter in the Rollins role and bring in a player at a different position with their now vacant roster spot.
For instance, the Milwaukee Bucks could absolutely use another wing. Currently, Taurean Prince is the only clear-cut small forward on this roster. Bringing in another forward who can provide some help at that spot might not be the worst idea. Two names worth keeping an eye on via the buyout market may be Torrey Craig - who has been waived - and Cam Reddish - who may be waived.
Neither player would be a game-changer, but they could be another capable body at a position that does not have many right now after trading Khris Middleton.
If the Milwaukee Bucks do opt to bring Rollins in on a standard deal, they may have a nice competition on their hands regarding backup point guard minutes. Porter and Rollins bring very different things to the court - Porter is more of a crafty bucket-getter while Rollins is a defensive do-it-all piece - which could give Doc Rivers some needed versatility depending on what the current situation calls for.
While the final roster spot on a contender might not seem like a huge deal, the Milwaukee Bucks have a chance to add a young player like Rollins or an impact veteran. It will be fascinating to see how they decide to fill it, as the acquisition of Kevin Porter Jr. at least poses questions about if that spot will still go to Rollins.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.