Milwaukee Bucks' MarJon Beauchamp situation is worse than anyone expected

When the Milwaukee Bucks drafted NBA G-League Ignite product MarJon Beauchamp with the 24th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the hope was that he would, at the very least, pan out as a 3-and-D sort of role player who could make shots and defend at a high level.

He was, after all, one of the few examples of times they used their first-round pick in this regime instead of trading it for an established upgrade.

He had his chances, too. In his rookie year under then-head coach Mike Budenholzer, he was praised for playing that role specifically. Beauchamp was an athletic spark plug off the bench who could do a bit of everything for the Milwaukee Bucks.

The future was bright at the time, so bright that Giannis Antetokounmpo flew the young forward out to Greece to train with him over the offseason.

Yet, Milwaukee today has been searching for depth and athleticism off their bench—attributes that Beauchamp was supposed to provide. Even with his supposed pedigree coming out of the G-League Ignite program, he has not proven himself to be worthy of playing time thus far.

As fans well know by now, it's all been downhill from there.

After three years, MarJon Beauchamp has not panned out for the Bucks

Today, Beauchamp has found himself playing just two minutes so far in this young NBA season.

Despite being heralded as a promising young talent with dynamic athleticism and defensive prowess, his absence from the court during critical moments of the Bucks' first two regular-season games against the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls has raised eyebrows and sparked concern among fans and analysts alike.

In both matchups, Beauchamp was conspicuously absent from the rotation, even during garbage time when the Bucks were in need of a boost of energy off the bench. This is particularly alarming, given his athletic profile. Standing at 6-foot-7 with a 7.75-foot wingspan, he was expected to contribute significantly on both ends of the floor.

It's not like the situation under head coach Doc Rivers was bereft of opportunities for some of the young Bucks, either. Rivers has constantly preached the importance of internal development over the preseason, and he also gave minutes to another young bench player in AJ Green in those two regular season outings.

That may be the crux of the matter for the 24-year-old Beachamp: the other young players in Milwaukee may have simply passed him by. Green is a much better shooter, while Andre Jackson Jr. is a much more explosive athlete and by far the more consistent defender. AJ Johnson is also an extremely tantalizing point guard prospect, while Tyler Smith has the makings of an elite floor-spacer in the frontcourt.

Going on his third year into his NBA career, Beauchamp's development appears stunted. With only 4.4 points on 12.7 minutes per game last season, he has yet to prove himself as a reliable contributor.

The writing was on the wall the moment fans watched him struggle against ostensibly lesser competition in the NBA Summer League, and then again in the preseason exhibition games. It was quite telling, too, that general manager Jon Horst went out and signed other wing players like Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., and Stanley Umude in the offseason instead of looking for a solution internally.

Beauchamp's departure from Milwaukee may be on the horizon soon

The truth is, Beauchamp's time as a Milwaukee Buck more than likely has run its course, and he may very well find greener pastures elsewhere with better opportunities and a more favorable situation for a player like himself.

Right before the 2024-25 NBA season kicked off, rumors had already been up in the air that the Bucks front office was looking to move on from Beauchamp in a trade. While this move hasn't quite materialized just yet, Horst is most certainly working the phones with other front offices around the association to find a favorable deal.

The Bucks are currently navigating a competitive Eastern Conference landscape where every game counts. The absence of Beauchamp's energy and athleticism is felt more acutely when considering the team's struggles against fast-paced offenses like those of the Sixers and Bulls. With Milwaukee needing to match up against explosive players like Tyrese Maxey and Zach LaVine, one would have expected a player with Beauchamp's physical tools to be utilized more effectively.

The narrative surrounding first-round picks often includes immediate contributions or at least visible growth within their first few seasons. Unfortunately for Beauchamp, he finds himself at a crossroads: either he begins to carve out a role on this contending team or risks being labeled as another draft misstep.

As the Milwaukee Bucks continue their season, MarJon Beauchamp's situation remains precarious. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely—can Beauchamp rise to meet expectations, or will he fade further into obscurity? The answer may determine not only his future but also that of the Bucks as they aim for another championship run.

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