Training camp in the NBA is inching closer, which means Milwaukee Bucks basketball is almost back.
After an off-season retooling, the Bucks don't have too many question marks. For a while, there were questions regarding who the fifth starter would be, but the Gary Trent Jr. signing put an end to that in a hurry. Trent will inevitably be Milwaukee's starting shooting guard, but one question stemming from that involves who will be his backup at the two guard spot.
Which Bucks player will be Gary Trent Jr.'s backup?
There are three Milwaukee Bucks fighting for this role entering training camp, and they are AJ Green, Andre Jackson Jr. and Pat Connaughton.
Connaughton is the savvy veteran, which one would think gives him the edge under veteran-oriented head coach Doc Rivers, while Green and Jackson are the young guns looking to leap into the rotation. Each player brings something different to the table that makes them a candidate for the gig, but they all won't be key cogs in Rivers' rotation.
For Connaughton, his championship experience is very valuable, as he has helped the Bucks win it all before. Green is an electric marksman who showed glimpses of improved defense last year. Jackson, while still a bit wild on the court, has "do-it-all sparkplug" written all over him due to his ability to score, rebound and play stellar defense due to his impressive athleticism.
Training camp will give all three players an opportunity to showcase why they deserve to be in the nightly rotation.
Connaughton may have the edge now due to his seniority, but there's a good chance AJ Green could leapfrog him if he impresses in camp. Rivers took a real liking to Green after taking the head coaching reigns last season, and the guard showed that he could help this team. He's one of the best shooters on the roster and fits seamlessly in any lineup. It's the defense that could make or break his minutes.
Fans and analysts can speculate as much as they want, but ultimately, only these three players and Doc Rivers will decide who earn this title by the time the 2024-25 NBA season begins.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.