1 Drastic, 1 realistic rotation change Bucks could make after abrupt injury
By Dalton Sell
The Milwaukee Bucks have plowed into plenty of obstacles lately, and it appears that will remain the case moving forward.
Per NBA insider Chris Haynes, Bucks guard Damian Lillard suffered a concussion in the team's recent game against the Boston Celtics and is now in the concussion protocol. He will officially miss Tuesday night's game against the Toronto Raptors. Haynes says there's a chance Lillard could return to action the following game, but that's far from a guarantee.
With Lillard now out of the mix, Doc Rivers will certainly have to get creative when piecing together his rotations. Let us look at one drastic and one realistic tweak he could explore.
Drastic - Give AJ Johnson some action
Seeing other draft picks around the league thrive, Milwaukee Bucks fans are itching to see what their first-round pick, AJ Johnson, can possibly bring to the table. With the Bucks needing a floor general, could Rivers truly give the 19-year-old his first legitimate NBA minutes of the young season? It would be a drastic move, but it's not out of the realm of possibility with Damian Lillard out.
While he's incredibly raw and unpolished as a player, Johnson could infuse some needed athleticism and speed into this rotation that has largely been unathletic and slow this season. His play may end up being more erratic than promising, but these could be valuable minutes for the youngster as he tries to get his feet wet in the NBA waters. With a need for a point guard, this could be his chance.
Realistic - Increase Ryan Rollins' workload
While Doc Rivers is still keeping him on a leash in terms of minutes, Ryan Rollins has earned the title as the Milwaukee Bucks' backup point guard early this season. With Damian Lillard sidelined, it would make sense for Rollins to earn more time as the next man up. The primary question is whether he has earned Doc Rivers' trust enough to start or if he will stay in that backup point guard spot.
No matter when he comes into the game, Rollins has shown lately that he can make an impact when he's on the court. Defensively, he has shown that he has a good eye for things, and he has excellent athleticism, helping him log three blocks in his latest out. He hasn't been given a large workload on offense, but this could be his chance to have the ball in his hands more and showcase his talents.
It's unclear just how long Damian Lillard will be sidelined for the Milwaukee Bucks, but for now, there are two young point guards Doc Rivers can lean on.
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