Ahead of Saturday's tip-off, the Milwaukee Bucks released their official Summer League roster.
As most expected, freshman and sophomores like AJ Johnson, Tyler Smith, Andre Jackson Jr. and Chris Livingston are all set to play. They will be joined by third-year wing MarJon Beauchamp, who is about to enter a crucial - likely career-defining - season with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Pressure surrounds Bucks wing MarJon Beauchamp
When the Milwaukee Bucks added MarJon Beauchamp in the opening round of the 2022 NBA Draft, expectations were high. Many believed he could help the team on impact, but over the course of his first two NBA seasons, he has yet to make a sizeable impression, spending a good amount of time on the sidelines.
The wing has dealt with injuries here and there, which have limited him, but entering year three as a Milwaukee Buck, he has to prove his place not only on this team but also in this league. Thankfully, just like he did when they took him, he still has all the tools to help this team if he can stay healthy.
At 6-foot-6 and incredibly athletic with a 7-foot wingspan, Beauchamp checks off all of the boxes in terms of being the type of wing this team has been seeking for years. Not only does he have all of the tools to be a quality wing defender, but he could also help spice things up in transition for Milwaukee, something that clearly hurt them consistently last season.
On paper, Beauchamp is beyond desirable, but this is year three of talking about what he is on paper. It's now time to show it on the floor.
Beauchamp needs to come out and dazzle in Summer League. As a third-year player, he's older and more experienced than most of the other players out there, so he should have an advantage in that regard. A strong Summer League showing won't dictate how ready he is to perform at the NBA level, but if he knocks down his jumpers and plays tough defense, it would be beyond welcoming.
The 23-year-old should be motivated to prove himself and show that the Bucks were right to take a swing at him in 2022. With the Bucks clearly shifting toward a youth retooling, Beauchamp has a golden opportunity to carve out a role for himself next season. A make-or-break 2024-25 season starts with how Beauchamp performs under the NBA Summer League lights.
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