Following an incredibly busy NBA Trade Deadline period, the Milwaukee Bucks had opened up one roster spot that they could use to further fortify their group.
While it might seem crazy now, there was actually some debate back then regarding who should be the player to claim that final spot. Ryan Rollins always seemed like the frontrunner, given how well he played on his two-way contract, but the acquisition of Kevin Porter Jr. made him mostly a piece just for depth, at least early on. Ultimately, the spot went to Rollins, and it's a good thing it did.
Ryan Rollins is helping keep the Milwaukee Bucks afloat
No one could have predicted that the Milwaukee Bucks would lose starting guard Damian Lillard for a significant amount of time to a blood clot. Nevertheless, Lillard's absence forced Rollins back into the Bucks' rotation, and since then, he's done nothing but prove why handing him that 15th and final spot was the correct move for Milwaukee.
In the 10 games since Lillard went down, Rollins has stepped up, averaging 11.7 points, 4.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48.6 percent from long distance.
Whether he's starting or coming off the bench, Rollins has consistently given the Bucks a jolt during this stretch. Knocking down the long ball, facilitating for others, playing tough defense or getting out in transition for a breakaway opportunity, Rollins has done all of the little things to help the Bucks stay afloat without their typical starting point guard.
During this 10-game stretch alone, Rollins has not only set his career-high in scoring three separate times, but he also recorded his first double-double with 14 points and 10 assists in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans. In extended minutes, the 22-year-old is blossoming before our eyes, and he is likely far from finished.
As long as Damian Lillard remains out, Ryan Rollins very well may be the biggest X-factor on the team. If he keeps playing this well down the stretch and into the NBA Playoffs, the soon-to-be free agent will earn himself quite the bump in pay this coming offseason when he hits the open market. For now, the only focus is helping the Milwaukee Bucks win as many games as possible.
Handing Ryan Rollins that standard contract has proven to be a game-changing move for the Bucks. Given how the market looked at the time, the odds of the Milwaukee Bucks finding a player who could have a similar impact was slim. Sometimes, the right decision is the obvious one.
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