Andre Jackson Jr. went from starting for the Milwaukee Bucks to being relegated to the bench in what felt like the blink of an eye.
Once the team's foremost defender at the point-of-attack, the past few games have seen him playing an energy guy type of role off the bench. Where he was once looked upon to guard the opposing team's best scorer, these days, he's mostly slotting in to give the starters a breather.
When asked about the abrupt change in his pregame press conference before a tough loss to the Houston Rockets, a game where they could have used more grit and hustle defending the perimeter, Doc Rivers could only offer reporters an explanation that left more questions than answers.
“Mid-season trade. We brought in other guys that I think fill his role,” Rivers told reporters. “His numbers were not great, especially with Giannis (Antetokounmpo) on the floor, those two guys together. But there's still going to be, he's still going to play, there's still going to be a use for him because he can defend and he gives us energy, whether it will be a 20-minute, 10-minute, you just never know. It's what I always say, this is a competition and it's always going to be a competition.”
While Rivers’ comments highlight the obviously and naturally competitive nature of the NBA, they also note the frustration surrounding Jackson’s sudden demotion, especially when it comes to his offensive game (or lack thereof).
But going forward, the Bucks coaching staff's decision to bench a player who was once seen as a key part of their future should, at the very least, raise some questions about their long-term vision for what little remains of the team's young core—and whether Jackson still has a role to play in Milwaukee.
Jackson's benching should raise worries about his place on this team
Andre Jackson Jr. emerged as a sudden starter earlier this season as an athletic, high-energy, defensive-minded wing who seemed to fit perfectly alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. His athleticism, hustle and ability to guard multiple positions made him a fan favorite, and his insertion into the starting lineup, despite his offensive deficiencies, was seen as a sign of the Bucks’ commitment to developing young talent.
But as the season progressed, Jackson’s limitations became more and more apparent with every passing game. His clunky jump shot mechanics (belied by his 38.6 percent 3-point shooting clip) often made him a liability on offense, and his struggles to create his own shot often left the Bucks playing 4-on-5 in half-court sets. According to Rivers, Jackson’s numbers were particularly poor when sharing the floor with Giannis, suggesting that his offensive shortcomings were magnified when paired with the Milwaukee Bucks superstar.
Even this writer, who has been among Jackson's most ardent of advocates for most of this season, has to concede to that. According to PBP Stats, Antetokounmpo is putting up a net rating of +7.76 when he plays without Jackson. When the two of them share the court together, it plummets down to a -1.48.
Rivers’ explanation for Jackson’s benching centers on the mid-season acquisitions of Kyle Kuzma and Kevin Porter Jr. Both players bring skills that overlap with Jackson’s—Kuzma’s versatility and KPJ’s scoring punch—while also addressing some of the Bucks’ most pressing needs. Kuzma, in particular, has taken over Jackson’s role as the high-energy defender and versatile wing, leaving Jackson without a clear path to consistent minutes.
While the addition of Kuzma and KPJ has undoubtedly improved the Bucks’ roster, it’s fair to wonder whether Jackson’s development has been sacrificed in the process. At just 22 years old, Jackson is still raw and has plenty of room to grow. But with the Bucks in win-now mode, there’s little patience for growing pains, and Jackson’s role has been reduced as a result.
Despite his offensive struggles, Jackson’s defensive impact is undeniable. His ability to guard multiple positions, disrupt passing lanes and provide energy off the bench makes him a valuable piece in the right matchup. In a league where wing defense is at a premium, Jackson’s skill set is something the Milwaukee Bucks can’t afford to waste. When it's all said and done, he's still this team's best perimeter defender.
Rivers’ comments suggest that Jackson’s role will be fluid, with his minutes varying depending on the matchup and the flow of the game. While that approach makes sense in the short term, it also raises questions about Jackson’s long-term future in Milwaukee. If the Bucks are committed to developing him, they’ll need to find a way to give him consistent minutes and opportunities to grow. If not, they risk stunting his development—or worse, losing him altogether.
At the end of the day, he probably wasn't wrong, but Doc Rivers’ explanation for Andre Jackson Jr.’s benching is equal parts frustrating and revealing about where this team's priorities are. While the mid-season acquisitions of Kyle Kuzma and Kevin Porter Jr. have quite evidently improved the Bucks’ roster in extremely meaningful ways, they’ve also left Jackson without a clear role. His defensive impact and energy are still valuable, but his offensive limitations have made it difficult for Rivers to trust him in meaningful minutes.
The challenge at this point, really, is for Rivers and his coaching staff to find a way to utilize Jackson’s strengths while minimizing his weaknesses. Whether that means giving him spot minutes in specific matchups or using him as a defensive specialist or perhaps having the athletic forward be more proactive in moving off the ball, there should still a role for Jackson to play on this Bucks team—if Rivers is willing to be creative.
If they can’t, they risk wasting a player with the potential to be a key piece of their future.
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