With a 1-4 record and their one win coming against a Philadelphia 76ers team missing two of its top three players, the Milwaukee Bucks have given their doubters plenty of fuel to begin the NBA season.
Thankfully, the regular season is not just five games. The Bucks have 77 more regular season games left on the schedule. As they aim to get back on the right track, it is clear they must adjust after their current strategies have been proven flawed. With that said, let us highlight several changes that the Milwaukee Bucks must make in an effort to bounce back.
Explore Pat Connaughton's trade market
The Milwaukee Bucks have been plagued by opposing teams exploiting their lack of athleticism and youth in the rotation. Doing them no favors in this regard is Pat Connaughton, who has lost his burst and looks lost defensively more often than not when his matchup is less than 30 years old. However, Doc Rivers continues to give him considerable minutes on a nightly basis.
Making $9.4 million this season, Connaughton has a nice salary that could be useful in a trade. While opposing teams will not be attracted to Connaughton alone, Milwaukee could attach their 2031 first round pick or their second rounder in an effort to add some help. This early in the season, it's unclear who is available, but the Bucks should be poking around for some athletic players.
Increase Andre Jackson Jr.'s minutes
Doc Rivers at least somewhat understands that the Milwaukee Bucks need to shake up their rotation, giving Andre Jackson Jr. legitimate minutes over the last two games. While he's had trouble shaking his foul trouble and isn't scoring in bunches, Jackson has shown that he can give a spark due to his defense, rebounding and hustle - something many of the other veteran reserves lack.
Jackson should be eating Connaughton's minutes. While the sophomore will make mistakes, they can be categorized as part of the development process. Connaughton, currently 31 and nine years older than Jackson, does not fall into the same category. Fans have been begging for the team to develop a young player, and this could be a perfect opportunity for them to try, given Jackson's strengths.
Find room for AJ Green in the rotation
Another young Buck who should be swiping minutes from Connaughton is AJ Green. While he does not boast the athleticism or burst that Jackson does, he can certainly help the Milwaukee Bucks in another area they are struggling in, which is their perimeter shooting. Shooting 30.6 percent from deep this season, the Bucks rank 28th in the NBA in 3-point percentage. That won't cut it.
For his career, Green has knocked down 41.4 percent of his triples on three attempts per matchup. That type of sharpshooting is exactly what the Milwaukee Bucks need right now. He's already shown that he can fit seamlessly alongside Milwaukee's other stars, and at 25, he'd also add some needed youth into this veteran-oriented rotation. He needs minutes for this Bucks team.
Part 1. Find a MarJon Beauchamp trade partner
With the team recently declining his fourth-year option, the writing is on the wall that third-year wing MarJon Beauchamp's time in Milwaukee likely will be coming to an end soon. On his latest B/R video intel drop, NBA Insider Jake Fischer said that both Beauchamp's representation and the Bucks have an interest in relocating the youngster to a new situation.
The Bucks should aim to move Beauchamp rather than keep him glued to their bench. While they will likely not get anything significant in return - maybe a second-round pick at most - moving him would free up a roster spot if they receive no player in return. With a handful of compelling names still on the free agent market, the Milwaukee Bucks could add a potential impact player.
Part 2. Sign Lonnie Walker IV
If the Bucks do indeed move MarJon Beauchamp and open a roster spot, the first call they should make is to Lonnie Walker IV's agent. After being cut by the Boston Celtics after the preseason, the young wing signed with an overseas team, but he has a built in buyout clause in case an NBA team comes calling. Fischer mentions the Bucks checked in on him at last year's trade deadline.
Walker would make so much sense for a Milwaukee team that desperately needs more athleticism, scoring and shooting off the bench. The 25-year-old is a freak athlete, known for his dunking ability, and while his defense has always been inconsistent, he has the physical tools to help this team out on that side of the floor. The Milwaukee Bucks should help orchestrate his return to the NBA.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.