Last season, rookie Dylan Harper joined a San Antonio Spurs team that brought him off the bench despite it being clear that he deserved more. Rather than complain, Harper embraced that role, and it elevated the Spurs—who reached the NBA Finals—to new heights. Now, the Milwaukee Bucks hope that their new guard, Brayden Burries, can lean into the same approach.
Burries' career likely starts off the bench
On most teams, Burries would likely start, especially after the impressive Summer League that he just had. Aiding his case is that he can play both guard positions. The problem—or perhaps luxury, if that's how you want to view it—is that the Milwaukee Bucks are absolutely loaded at both guard spots, and Burries likely won't lap any of those ahead of him in the pecking order early on.
When crafting his starting backcourt, Taylor Jenkins will have endless combinations to sort through. The general consensus is that it will be Ryan Rollins and Tyler Herro. That still leaves room for Gary Trent Jr.—who just got a controversial raise—Kevin Porter Jr., AJ Green, and Kasparas Jakucionis. The odds of Burries starting over any of them immediately feel slim.
If Burries simply embraces his rookie role in the manner of Harper, it could start his career off on the right foot.
Burries off the bench could be a legitimate weapon
What made the Spurs so deadly last season—among having a dominant 7-foot-4 MVP candidate in Victor Wembanyama—was their three-headed monster in the backcourt. When starters De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle sat, the Spurs didn't break a sweat most nights because they still had a capable option in Harper on the floor to keep the momentum going.
Rollins and Herro will likely lead the charge to start, but they will need breaks. That will be Burries' time to shine. Even when playing behind two ball-dominant guards in Fox and Castle, Harper still was one of the best reserves in the business, finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year and 11th in the Sixth Man of the Year race. If all of this comes to fruition, Burries could find himself in both conversations.
Burries is the talk of the town in Milwaukee right now. Everyone was already high on him, but his play in Summer League only raised eyebrows further. He's the real deal, and it will be up to the Bucks to help bring out the best in him, no matter what role he has. The guard is in good hands with a player development-focused coach like Jenkins at the helm.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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