With the way things are going, the Milwaukee Bucks very well could turn the page this summer and look to retool post-Giannis Antetokounmpo. It wouldn't be easy, but having a veteran contributor like Taurean Prince could be a useful asset in navigating the difficult times. Cormac Ryan recently talked about Prince's impact on him and this entire team in what has been a tough stretch.
"TP has been an incredible vet for me, in particular. I've really appreciated him. He's obviously one of the veteran guys on our team. He's a guy who has a lot of experience in this league, especially for a guy like me, being a shooter, being kind of a 3-and-D kind of guy... To watch him play the way he's playing and to be a voice, to be a leader in our second group, has been incredible to watch. It's also made our lives easier."
Prince could be a great veteran presence for Bucks
What more could you ask for in a veteran? Prince, who just turned 32, has been a reliable contributor wherever he has landed, accumulating plenty of hard-earned experience. The way he carries himself and prepares for the challenges of the NBA is something that all players can learn from. That is what makes him valuable to a fresh-faced NBA player like Cormac Ryan, who is just getting his feet wet.
Prince's toughness and determination are also valuable attributes. Eight games into this season, he underwent surgery to address a herniated disc in his neck. That could have been it; Prince could've pulled the plug on his season and looked to next year. Yet, he dominated rehab, got himself right, and even opted to return despite Milwaukee's bleak outlook. That's commendable.
On top of all that, Prince can also contribute statistically. In five games this month, Prince is averaging 17 points, four rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting a red-hot 60 percent from down. When your veteran presence can also perform exceptionally on the court, you knock out two birds with a single stone, and that's exactly what Prince does.
Bucks should look to keep Prince this summer
Prince has a player option worth $3.8 million next season. For a good chunk of the season, as he sat on the sidelines recovering, it felt likely that Prince would accept that option and look to return strong next season. However, with the forward suddenly showing that he's healthy and ready to contribute in a significant way, things are suddenly getting complicated.
If he does opt out, keeping Prince wouldn't break the bank for the Milwaukee Bucks. Having him for the immediate aftermath of a post-Giannis squad could be worth a small raise. Younger players like Ousmane Dieng and Milwaukee's upcoming first-round pick will see extended opportunities, and a veteran like Prince could be the perfect player to guide them to success.
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