Predicting Taurean Prince's role and stats with the Milwaukee Bucks next season

Earlier this offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks signed Taurean Prince to a one-year deal worth just a tick under $3 million.

Though he's not the flashiest name, Prince is a big pickup for the Bucks, who upgraded at the backup forward spot after employing Jae Crowder and Danilo Gallinari last season. The veteran should be an incredibly useful rotation piece under head coach Doc Rivers, and now let's analyze why by breaking down his proposed role and giving a prediction of his 2024-25 stats.

Taurean Prince could be a defensive ace for the Bucks

For years, having a primary wing stopper has been an issue for the Bucks. Wesley Matthews was the closest the team has had since P.J. Tucker, but even he didn't pack the same punch. Names such as Jae Crowder and Semi Ojeleye have also been assigned the role but fell short of expectations. The hope is that Taurean Prince can crack the code and take on the tough matchups with success.

With measurements of 6-foot-6 with a 7-foot wingspan at 218 pounds, Prince is a lengthy, well-built forward who is as versatile as they come. In switch-heavy defensive schemes, he can cycle through different positions and guard them. The Bucks need that, especially when opposing teams have two electric scorers, such as the Boston Celtics with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

While he will almost certainly be coming off the bench, Prince will be one of Milwaukee's most vital players defensively this coming season.

On the opposite side of the court, Prince won't be tasked with doing too much outside of spacing the floor for Milwaukee's stars. In his career, the 30-year-old has shot 37.6 percent from downtown, so he is a quality perimeter shooter, and the wide open looks he gets next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard should only help him in that regard.

Prince will be essential in unlocking Milwaukee's small lineups with Giannis at the five spot, something they haven't had much success with post-P.J. Tucker. In these lineups, Prince can operate as the four and match up with players of all shapes and sizes while spacing the floor. This was key in helping the Bucks win it in 2021, and it could be essential in helping them do so again.

Taurean Prince should be a staple in Doc Rivers' rotation this season. The 3-and-D experience he brings to the table will be beyond valuable, and his presence will allow the Bucks to utilize one of their more lethal lineup combinations with Giannis Antetokounmpo at center. This could end up being one of the better free-agent signings of the Jon Horst era.

2024-25 stat prediction: 21.4 minutes, 8.1 points, 1.3 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 0.4 blocks, 45.6 percent field goal shooting, 38.5 percent 3-point shooting, 79.3 percent free throw shooting.

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