Chris Livingston hasn't cracked the rotation whatsoever in his first two NBA seasons, but if he wants to change that next season, he has one clear pathway. The forward, built like a tall NFL linebacker, has to make a strong enough impression on the defensive end to earn his keep. With the Milwaukee Bucks in need of as much perimeter defense as possible, Livingston could be worth looking into.
Forward has all the traits to be a strong defender for Bucks
Despite the Milwaukee Bucks showing their faith by re-signing him to a one-year deal, Livingston is still very much on the outskirts of the rotation. Kyle Kuzma and Taurean Prince are well ahead of him in the mix. However, as evidenced by them being in the postseason, their spots aren't guaranteed if they aren't performing to expectations. There's a chance Livingston could leapfrog them.
It all starts with his defense. At 6-foot-6, 220lbs with a 6-foot-11 wingspan and superb athleticism, Livingston has the type of build that screams defensive versatility. In today's NBA, teams need as many players of that archetype as they can get, as switch-heavy schemes and not getting caught in mismatches have become two vital requirements.
While Livingston, 21, is still raw, taking strides on defense could be his best pathway to earning legitimate minutes under Doc Rivers.
With a newfound reliance on youth and athleticism, one could argue that Livingston fits better with the vision of this roster than Kuzma and Prince. Kuzma showed glimpses of defensive promise in his first half-season in Milwaukee, but there were still plenty of lapses. Prince struggled to contain guards when constantly matched up with them. They certainly aren't all-world defenders.
Whether or not Livingston is ready for the spotlight remains up for debate, but it couldn't hurt to try. Young guard Ryan Rollins overtaking veteran Delon Wright in the rotation last season was a gamble that panned out for the better. The days of living and dying with recognizable veterans are over. The time to take risks and see what the young guns have if others aren't performing is here.
After years of trying to overcome draft miss after draft miss, the Milwaukee Bucks will aim to see if Chris Livingston can shatter the trend. The third season is typically make or break for young players on the fence, so it will be a pivotal year for Livingston, who has averaged just 4.7 minutes per game in his career to date.
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