Though things are subject to change over the next few months, the Milwaukee Bucks have filled out their 18-man roster for the time being.
Despite having limited avenues to improve, the front office has done a solid job of tweaking last year's roster after it was clear that group did not fit quite well. Now, at least on paper, the Bucks have filled a few of the team's glaring roster holes. That said, let's analyze the greatest strength of every single newcomer who will play for Milwaukee in 2024-25.
Gary Trent Jr. - Perimeter shooting
Throughout his six-year NBA career, Trent's biggest boon has been his prolific outside shot, having hit 38.6 percent of his triples on 6.4 attempts per game. Last season, he sunk 39.3 percent of his triples while knocking down an eye-popping 51.3 percent of his them when given six or more feet of space, per NBA.com/stats. He can flat-out shoot the basketball from distance.
That 3-point stroke will help Trent fit seamlessly in Milwaukee, giving the other starters an excellent kick-out threat on the perimeter just waiting to hoist a triple. Over the years, the Bucks have relied on Kyle Korver and Grayson Allen, among others, to play this floor spacer role at the two-guard spot, but Gary Trent Jr. might be the best player of the bunch to take the mantle.
Stanley Umude - 3-and-D potential
Stanley Umude hasn't made a name for himself like Trent, but he has all of the tools to do so in time. Many might say the wing's greatest strength is his outside shot, as he sunk 45.3 percent of his threes last season, but it was a small sample size. At 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, he also has the size and length to be a solid defender. He undoubtedly has the potential to be a nice 3-and-D wing.
At 25, he's a lot older than most two-way contract players, so there are questions as to how much further he can develop. He likely won't play much for the Bucks this coming season, but he will be a nice depth piece. If he impresses in practice and the G-League, perhaps the Bucks could extend a bigger opportunity his way next year, as he has the potential to fit nicely with this team.
Delon Wright - Defense
The Milwaukee Bucks needed more versatile defenders this off-season, and they got one after they added Delon Wright. Wright will be Milwaukee's backup point guard, but he's also capable of playing the two guard in an off-the-ball role next to Damian Lillard, something he will likely be doing often due to his ability to take pressure off of the point guard defensively.
At 6-foot-5, Wright breaks a yearly tradition of the Milwaukee Bucks employing undersized backup point guards. It's a welcoming change, as Wright has the size to hold his own against other guards as well as some smaller forwards. When the Bucks want to switch defensively, having a capable guard of Wright's caliber will be a huge boost.
Taurean Prince - Versatlity
P.J. Tucker was such a key cog on Milwaukee's 2021 title team because he brought strong defense and could play multiple positions. The hope is that Taurean Prince can do the same for the Bucks, as he'll be the next name in a long line of forwards who have tried to replicate what Tucker brought to the table over three years ago.
At 6-foot-6 with 6-foot-11.5 wingspan, Prince is a lengthy player who can rotate between playing the small and power forward positions. He'll be particularly useful when the Bucks utilize a smaller lineup with Giannis Antetokounmpo at center, as he can be the power forward. Like Wright, he's a quality defender who will be useful in crafting lineups, especially when the team is switching defensively.
AJ Johnson - Quickness
At 19 years old, AJ Johnson is still incredibly young, so a lot of his best skills have yet to be brought to the light. However, even during his brief stint in the Summer League, the biggest thing that stands out with him is his quickness. He flies up and down the court every possession, making him a tough cover for opponents as he gets to the hoop or steps back for a jumper.
The hope is that Johnson's speed can help fuel his success at the NBA level like it did for stars such as John Wall and De'Aaron Fox. It might take a while for Johnson to develop into a consistent shooter or defender in this league, but there's no denying that he has the speed and burst to make a name for himself early on as he works out the other kinks in his game.
Tyler Smith - Physical tools
The most interesting aspect of Tyler Smith's game is his physical skill set. Although he stands tall at 6-foot-11, he's a freak athlete and fluid mover at his size. Like Johnson, he's also just 19 years old, so it will take time for him to truly unearth those skills, but there's no doubt that he can develop into a unique type of player if he relies on those physical traits as he grows.
Those tools make Smith an interesting long-term prospect. If he can develop into a solid defender and strong shooter at his size, he'll become a versatile piece for years to come. The big question is when he might be ready to hit the hardwood consistently. His rookie year will be about development, and he should stick close to Giannis Antetokounmpo to learn from another gifted Milwaukee athlete.
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