Predicting AJ Green's stats and role with the 2024-25 Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks need at least one of their young players to leap into the rotation and become a reliable contributor this coming season.

Currently, the best bet is AJ Green. Doc Rivers seemed to have taken a liking to him last year, and the championship-winning head coach spoke glowingly of the wing at Bucks Media Day, highlighting how the youngster had an excellent summer. Green seems destined to earn extended minutes, so let us now predict his role and 2024-25 stats with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Predicting what AJ Green could offer the Bucks

Above all else, when he touches the floor, AJ Green will be asked to shoot the long ball. Last season, he hit a blistering 41.2 percent of his 3-pointers, including 45.8 percent on his "wide-open" looks. He can flat-out shoot the long ball, and that will primarily determine his success. Milwaukee's stars need as much floor spacing as possible to operate offensively, and Green can help.

The best example for Green to follow would be that of Kyle Korver and Bryn Forbes. Those two were both 3-point specialists, and a significant chunk of their minutes were spent being on the floor with Giannis Antetokounmpo to give him a reliable kick-out threat. Green could thrive in this role, as he's shown he thrives when given countless open looks on the perimeter.

This big question for Green is what kind of role he'll play defensively. He certainly won't develop into a defensive specialist anytime soon, but if he can be serviceable on that side of the court and hold his own in matchups, it will increase his importance drastically. This coming season, the Bucks will need as much defense as possible on the floor, and they will not be playing players who struggle.

Hopefully part of Green's amazing summer, per coach Doc Rivers, involved him dialing in defensively.

2024-25 stat prediction: 15.3 minutes, 8.9 points, 0.9 assists, 1.8 rebounds, 0.4 steals, 0.1 blocks, 44.6 percent field goal shooting, 41.8 percent 3-point shooting, 88.6 percent free throw shooting.

These are achievable numbers for Green in his third season with the Bucks. The two prominent things are the points and the 3-point percentage. If he can reach these off the bench, which he very well can if he shows growth in his game, it will provide a big spark for the team offensively.

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