Assessing early returns on the Milwaukee Bucks' mid-season roster additions

The Milwaukee Bucks made a pair of mid-season moves to tweak their roster over the last few weeks.

First, they acquired Patrick Beverley from the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Cameron Payne and a second-round draft pick. After freeing up a roster spot in a separate trade involving Robin Lopez, the team opted to bring in Danilo Gallinari, who had been bought out by the Detroit Pistons days prior. They haven't been with the team for long, but let's assess the early returns on the tandem.

Assessing early returns on the Milwaukee Bucks' mid-season roster additions

On paper, Beverley's contributions might not look like too much. In nine appearances, he's averaged 5.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 39.6 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from downtown. However, the Bucks didn't necessarily bring Beverley in because they thought he'd give them elite scoring, passing or rebounding. It was the defense and intensity that drew them in.

A three-time All-Defensive honoree, Beverley has an established background as a strong perimeter defender in this league, something the Bucks needed more of desperately. Thus far, he's given this team just what the doctor ordered, giving them a versatile piece who can defend other players of all shapes and sizes, making things as difficult as possible for them.

Beverley isn't fully responsible, but it's certainly interesting that they have the best defensive rating in the entire association since he came aboard, per NBA.com/stats.

In addition to being a pest on defense, the guard has also given Milwaukee a vocal leader capable of motivating his teammates. The guard has always been one to wear his emotions on his sleeve, and he's kept up that trend with the Bucks. Whether he's on the bench or in the game, Beverley has been an energizer for Milwaukee.

That said, Beverley is capable of having big statistical games as well. In Milwaukee's most recent win over the Chicago Bulls, he had his best game in green yet, putting up 14 points, four boards and two assists on 62.5 percent shooting. Games like that will not happen nightly, but Beverley can certainly pop off every now and then with a stat-sheet-stuffing outing, which helps.

In short, Beverley has been exactly as advertised. He's given the Bucks a mighty boost defensively while providing leadership, instantly gelling with his new teammates while reuniting with Doc Rivers. He should continue to be a big piece for Milwaukee down the stretch.

Meanwhile, it hasn't been as smooth of a transition for Gallinari. Though the Bucks are a perfect 5-0 since the forward came aboard, he's had a tough time finding his footing. In those games, he has put up averages of two points, one rebound and 0.8 assists while shooting 25 percent from the floor and zero percent from deep in 9.4 minutes per game.

Nobody expected Gallinari, who is coming off an ACL tear, to be the player he was several years ago, but the hope was that he could help in his limited minutes. Even at this stage, he showed glimpses of being a decent scorer and shooter in stints with Washington and Detroit this season. In time, he may be able to regain that stroke and provide quality offense when called upon. It just has not been there.

The veteran hasn't given them much assistance on the defensive end, but that was to be expected, as it's never been his strong suit.

It will be interesting to see how Gallinari's minutes are impacted once Khris Middleton returns to the Bucks lineup, as he's been out with an ankle injury. Middleton's eventual return could very well bump the big man out of the rotation, making him a depth piece in the frontcourt, which he was brought in to be for the Bucks in the first place.

Ultimately, early on, the addition of Beverley has been an excellent one for the Bucks, while Gallinari hasn't been overly impressive. There's plenty of season left to be played, and these two could be compelling pieces for Milwaukee in their quest for another NBA title.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.