The NBA season is just days away, and even with the Milwaukee Bucks nearing their opener against the Philadelphia 76ers, they continue to keep making tweaks to their ever-changing roster.
Center Liam Robbins impressed enough on an Exhibit 10 deal that the team have given him a chance in the G-League by being signed to a two-way deal. Across the four preseason games, he averaged 11.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 blocks. Adding the 7-foot center gives the Bucks cover in the frontcourt that is greatly needed and offers a different option to the veteran Brook Lopez.
Doc Rivers and the front office clearly see potential with Robbins, having waived Anžejs Pasečņiks to bring him in. Let's take a look at the updated depth chart and how the Bucks have addressed one key need this offseason.
A look at the Milwaukee Bucks updated roster
Point guard - Damian Lillard, Delon Wright, AJ Johnson, Ryan Rollins (Two-way)
Shooting guard - Gary Trent Jr., Pat Connaughton, AJ Green, Andre Jackson Jr., Stanley Umude (Two-way)
Small forward - Khris Middleton, Taurean Prince, MarJon Beauchamp, Chris Livingston
Power forward - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyler Smith
Center - Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Liam Robbins (Two-way)
Robbins clearly has the faith of Rivers and Eric Nehm of The Athletic reported that Rivers likes what he has seen in practice and that Robbins is a "natural instigator and that's what I love about him." It is well documented that the Bucks are hoping to be more versatile and athletic defensively, and Robbins keeps the size that Lopez has but is 11 years his junior. That youth may actually be of use for the Milwaukee Bucks down low at points this season.
In the Bucks' first round exit to the Indiana Pacers, the clear difference was the youth, speed and athleticism. Milwaukee has addressed that, as the average age of the current depth chart is 26.7 years old, with 12 of the 18 players under the age of 30. The roster that finished the season on the Bucks had an average age of 28 with just 10 of those under the age of 30, and the likes of Patrick Beverley and Danilo Gallinari both being 35.
That youth is a positive for the Bucks. Yes, it means there are raw players with rookies AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith both just 19, but the veterans used last season were physically overrun. Adding the likes of Delon Wright, Taurean Prince and Gary Trent Jr, all come with plenty of NBA experience, and their defensive skill set aids the aim for the Bucks' versatility, with all three possessing good 3-point shooting skills.
Point guard is set with Damian Lillard playing the bulk of the minutes and Wright serving as the veteran backup, with Johnson being the young rookie that may see time depending on the game situation. Small forward is similar despite Khris Middleton's status for the first game still up in the air.
The question mark is at shooting guard, with Gary Trent Jr. expected to start but those behind him struggled to stake their claim for the spot in the rotation during the preseason. Early on, we may see Pat Connaughton, AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. all in the game at different moments as Rivers looks to fine tune his rotations.
It will be an intriguing start to the season for the Bucks with plenty of new pieces and how some of the younger guys feature in rotations. Tests don't get much tougher than going into Philadelphia with the moves they have made this offseason, so it should be a fun opening game.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks news as the season inches closer.