The Milwaukee Bucks' youth movement is well underway, but it can't stop there

Around the league, expedited development is the name of the game. Cash-strapped clubs are developing their youth in a hurry, leading to legitimate prospects popping up seemingly out of nowhere to complement superstars who command more space on their teams' balance sheets.

Gone are the days when developing hidden gems was some secret talent reserved for a select few teams like the Miami Heat. The Bucks did it most recently with AJ Green, who went undrafted out of Iowa. The Grizzlies are doing it right now with Jay Huff, who has been a complete surprise. Julian Champagnie is also breaking out for the Spurs. The point is that talent can come from anywhere, and it seems as though the entire league has come to realize that. 

Of course, it's naive to think that every young guy can excel if given the opportunity. In this league, so many things have to go right for a young prospect to prove they're deserving of more opportunities, let alone crack a regular season rotation.

Fit matters, and the environment matters. This is why first-round picks like MarJon Beauchamp can have opportunities under three different coaches only for them to come to the same conclusion. As a contending team, it's tough to expect a team like the Milwaukee Bucks to uproot its newfound stability just to give some unproven talent minutes in the regular season.

But for Milwaukee, who have no draft picks until 2031 and no assets to make any major trades to meaningfully upgrade their core, the roster is likely a finished product. Any moves will likely be improvements around the margins. 

Developing from within has turned into a necessity for the Bucks

For this writer, the Golden State Warriors' two-timeline strategy comes to mind as proof of concept for teams still vying for a championship.

While the team was still very much in the mix to contend for a title in the twilight years of its vaunted dynasty, it was also sharply focused on developing from within by rearing young players like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. It wasn’t without hiccups, but it showcased the importance of giving youth a chance to grow alongside seasoned stars.

Today, the team is starting another undrafted prospect in Lindy Waters III, who found a good role to be a star in. 

And while AJ Green, Andre Jackson Jr. and Ryan Rollins have all broken out of the proverbial doghouse, there's still a wealth of young talent sitting on the bench that's been largely forgotten in Doc Rivers' latest tangent towards youth.

This writer has long argued that the Milwaukee Bucks' biggest enemy this season is not the Boston Celtics or the Cleveland Cavaliers - it's themselves. If they can stay healthy, and that's a big if, they're still in the mix. That's just the reality of being a top-heavy team sporting names like those of Lillard and Antetokounmpo.

But there's an argument to be made that the minutes where neither of the two superstars were on the floor have left a lot to be desired. In the past few games, Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo have carried the lion's share of the minutes, with each player averaging over 35 minutes so far this season. And that takes a sizeable toll on health.

That's where having reliable depth that can contribute on both ends comes in. The Bucks don't quite have that just yet. Trades and free agent signings are mostly out of the question, which only means that Jon Horst and company will have to be creative about where they get their improvements. And it's a no-brainer that this will have to come from within.

What about AJ Johnson? What about Tyler Smith, or even Liam Robbins and Stanley Umude, who can also chip in productive minutes if only to keep the Milwaukee Bucks starters fresh for the playoffs?

When every name brought up in trade rumors for the Bucks would cost an arm and a leg, investing in development isn't just a passing phase to get Milwaukee through its tough start - it's the only way forward. Internal development is not just a luxury but a necessity. The Bucks’ future isn’t in blockbuster trades or big free-agent signings—it’s in the untapped potential of players like Chris Livingston, AJ Johnson, Tyler Smith and Liam Robbins.

Milwaukee’s youth movement has started to show promise. Andre Jackson Jr. is showing he can break the team's draft curse. AJ Johnson has already turned heads with stat-stuffing G-League outings, and Tyler Smith’s raw athleticism hints at long-term potential. The question now is whether the Bucks are willing to take the next step.

Jon Horst and company will need to prioritize minutes for their younger players, not just in the G-League but in real NBA action. That doesn’t mean uprooting the team’s stability, but it does mean finding ways to incorporate developmental opportunities into the rotation—especially during the regular season grind.

Giving these young players a chance could also solve another looming issue: the heavy minutes load on Giannis and Damian Lillard. Finding reliable contributors from within will not only keep the Bucks’ stars fresh for the playoffs but also build a more sustainable roster for the future.

It’s early, but Milwaukee’s youth movement is showing promise. Now, it’s time for the Bucks to double down. Investing in development isn’t just a phase to weather a tough season—it’s the only way forward.