The Milwaukee Bucks may have only signed Amir Coffey to a training camp deal, but his arrival on the team could still wind up having a significant impact, particularly on third-year wing Andre Jackson Jr.
Throughout his tenure with the organization, the former UConn linchpin and 36 pick in the 2023 draft has periodically flashed his abilities as a two-way playmaker, though he has yet to prove himself capable of unleashing his full potential and productively contributing within the rotation on a full-time basis.
Following up an incredibly inconsistent sophomore season, Jackson did himself no favors during this year's Summer League, where he averaged 5.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 turnovers per game and inched himself closer to being shipped out of Wisconsin altogether before his $2.2 million salary becomes fully guaranteed in 2025-26.
Now, with the signing of Coffey, it seems abundantly clear that the 23-year-old's days with the club may soon be coming to an end.
Amir Coffey is a far more desirable rotation piece for win-now Bucks
With all-world superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the charge and being accompanied by quality running mates in Myles Turner and Kyle Kuzma, it's more than obvious that Milwaukee is still looking to contend for a title in 2025-26.
Because of this, for GM Jon Horst and coach Doc Rivers, the primary objective between now and the regular season's tip-off should be to try and find more ways to continue bolstering the talent pool around their aforementioned nucleus.
One way of potentially doing so could be by replacing Jackson's spot on the rotation with Coffey.
Despite the fact that the Bucks have had astoundingly shallow depth at the small forward position over the past few seasons, Jackson has failed to separate himself from teammates like Taurean Prince and Chris Livingston.
Based on his past few seasons out in Los Angeles, Coffey may already be coming in with a clear leg up on all three.
Despite going unselected in the 2019 NBA Draft and revolving in and out of the G League throughout his first few seasons in the association, since 2021-22, the Minnesota product managed to establish himself as a staple within the Clippers' rotation.
In 20.7 minutes a night, Coffey averaged 7.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 45.7 percent shooting from the floor and 38.3 percent shooting from deep.
Last season, he would drop in 9.7 points a night and raised his long-range shooting clip to an impressive 40.9 percent with the 50-win Clippers in a career-high 72 games.
Though he may be five years his senior (28 compared to 23), if it comes down to signing the 6-foot-6 Coffey to a full-time standard deal for the coming year or holding onto Jackson based on the hope that he can finally put his athleticism and elite defensive potential to good use, considering they're looking to win now, the former is clearly the safer course of action for the Bucks.