1 Last name could solve several problems for the Milwaukee Bucks this off-season

It's almost time for the Milwaukee Bucks to begin retooling their roster.

Whether it's through trade, free agency or the draft, the team will have options to patch some of their significant holes. As talked about ad nauseam, their prominent needs include athleticism, youth and defense above all else. To inject those attributes into this roster, there is a common last name shared between two players who should be on Milwaukee's radar: Dunn.

If their last name is Dunn, the Bucks should target them

Kris Dunn and Ryan Dunn are two incredibly different players, but they could both help the Bucks.

Kris Dunn, who is 30 and an eight-year NBA veteran, just had a bit of a resurgence with the Utah Jazz this past season after bouncing around over the prior few years. Playing 66 contests, the most since his rookie campaign, Dunn gave the Jazz excellent defense, facilitating and perimeter shooting.

If the Milwaukee Bucks lose Patrick Beverley, which remains a legitimate possibility, they will need a replacement in the backcourt, and Dunn would fit in perfectly. Dunn is among the more underrated defenders at the guard position in the entire NBA, having flirted with All-Defensive selections in recent years.

He could instantly slide into the backup point guard role behind Damian Lillard, allowing the star to catch his breath when called upon. If the Bucks could snag him on a "prove-it deal" as they did with Malik Beasley last off-season, allowing the guard to showcase his skills on a contender in hopes of earning a raise the following off-season, this could be a great move for Milwaukee.

According to Yahoo Sports NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks actually did do homework on Dunn before the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline, so they are familiar with what he brings. That interest should be reignited this off-season if they are in the market for a new defensive-minded point guard who can also make plays on the offensive end.

As for Ryan Dunn, he just finished up a two-year collegiate career at Virginia and will now wait to hear his name called in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft. The Bucks have worked out the power forward in recent days, and understandably so, as there's a lot to like about what he could bring to this roster.

The 6-foot-8 forward/guard is among the best defenders in this draft, boasting impressive athleticism and versatility that make him a nightmare for opponents. This past season at Virginia, he averaged an astounding 2.3 blocks and 1.3 steals per matchup, constantly making eye-popping plays. Could the Milwaukee Bucks use a player like this? Absolutely.

The 21-year-old would give Milwaukee the defensive playmaker they have been desperately seeking, taking on players of all shapes and sizes. Due to his height, length and athleticism, it would be much more difficult for opponents to target him, something opposing players have done constantly with Milwaukee's shorter, more unathletic wing defenders in recent memory.

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler and other top-notch forwards will not be going anywhere anytime soon, and the Bucks need to find their answer defensively. At 21, it might take time for Dunn to grow into the role, but he has all of the physical tools to thrive.

Despite being arguably the best defender in the entire draft, the big reason some are scared off by Dunn is his offense. He averaged 8.1 points while shooting 20 percent from three and 53.2 percent from the free throw line this past season. Those numbers are certainly nothing to write home about, as he doesn't have much of a repertoire on that side of the floor.

Yet, on a team with electric scorers like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, offense shouldn't be Milwaukee's primary concern. If they can land an elite defensive playmaker who doesn't make much of an impact offensively, that's a solid trade-off, given the team's major needs on defense.

There's a lot to like about what both Kris Dunn and Ryan Dunn could bring to the table in Milwaukee, and it all starts on the defensive side of the ball. They could knock out several items on the to-do list, including adding more youth, defense and athleticism, among many other eye-catching things.

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