The Milwaukee Bucks have established themselves as a perennial NBA contender, anchored by the transcendent talent of Giannis Antetokounmpo and the all-time shooting greatness of last year’s blockbuster acquisition in Damian Lillard.
Yet despite their potential for postseason success, a persistent flaw has plagued the franchise through the years: perimeter defense. While the Bucks have made strides in this area — such as in PJ Tucker who helped them to an NBA title in 2021 — they've consistently sought a true lockdown wing defender to solidify their defensive identity.
Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Taurean Prince, known for his defensive prowess and versatility, had emerged as a valuable asset for several NBA teams throughout most of this offseason.
His ability to guard multiple positions while providing decent floor-spacing with his 3-point shooting ability makes him a coveted asset in today's league. For the Bucks, who most recently signed him to an eye-catching one-year minimum deal, he could be the missing piece to the defensive puzzle they’ve faced for years now.
The Bucks have tried various solutions to their perimeter defense woes over the years. They've experimented with different lineups, acquired players with defensive reputations and even implemented defensive schemes designed to mitigate their weaknesses.
From Semi Ojeleye to Wesley Matthews to DeAndre' Bembry to Jae Crowder, they've yet to find a consistent and reliable answer to the league’s top-scoring wings, who have consistently been their downfall in the playoffs. To be blunt, it has been one of their biggest question marks since 2021.
Could Taurean Prince be the answer? Let’s take a look at the reputation he’s built up over his career and see if he can truly be a difference-maker in this area for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Addressing the Bucks' perimeter weakness
In the 6-foot-6 wing’s rookie season with Atlanta, Taurean Prince checking into the game meant opposing offense scorers would be scoring -5.8 points fewer per 100 possessions and -3.2 percentage points less in effective field goal efficiency, according to Cleaning the Glass — statistics that had Prince in the 92nd and 93rd percentiles for his position, respectively. The flashes were there as early as then.
Most recently, in 2023, Prince’s minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers saw the opposition turning the ball over for an additional +1.4 percent of their possessions versus when Prince was on the bench; he was good for the 82nd percentile among wings in turnover percentage that season.
Just look at the names at the top of his matchup data on NBA.com, which includes Kevin Durant and Luka Doncic. It’s clear that Prince was not only a competent defender but that he’s also consistently handed the responsibility of guarding the opposing team’s best scorer.
None of this is to say that Prince is the next great perimeter defender in Milwaukee, but neither was P.J. Tucker or Wesley Matthews.
The consensus among analysts and fans alike was that his time in Los Angeles betrayed a severe lack of the kind of physicality or quickness needed to be a real defensive stopper. The numbers do show that, as he held the two names mentioned earlier to efficiency numbers of 43.8 percent and 50.0 percent field goal shooting. That's not to say he doesn't have good matchups; he's held the likes of Jaylen Brown, Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen to field goal percentages of 40 and below.
It's tough to pin Los Angeles' defensive woes on Prince, of course - they were sporting a backcourt of D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, after all. But according to Cleaning the Glass, he was most certainly a net negative on the defensive side of the ball. Opposing teams actually scored +6.1 more points per 100 possessions in the minutes that Prince was playing versus when he was on the bench. So, while evidence of his ability on that end is clear, along with his potential to be a competent player, there are also signs of aging or a lack of consistency there.
One of the most critical aspects of Prince's game is his defensive versatility. His ability to guard multiple positions is a rare commodity in today's NBA. The Bucks have often struggled to match up with smaller, quicker guards, and Prince's length and athleticism could be a game-changer in this regard.
Per tracking data on NBA.com/stats, Prince spent 49.4 percent of his time defending guards, 43.7 percent on forwards, and even seven percent guarding centers, which should give you an idea of the trust former Lakers head coach Darvin Ham had in Prince’s ability to defend multiple positions.
Imagine a lineup with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Taurean Prince. The defensive potential of this quartet is staggering. Prince's ability to guard positions one through four would allow the Bucks to switch seamlessly on screens, a defensive strategy that has proven highly effective for the Bucks in recent years — especially in the playoffs.
This defensive flexibility would also reduce the strain on Giannis, allowing him to focus more on his offensive responsibilities without having to expend as much energy on the defensive end.
Prince's defensive acumen, while limited, offers a tantalizing prospect. His length, athleticism and defensive instincts are precisely the qualities the Milwaukee Bucks have sought, even if he isn't the most elite ball hawk out there.
His ability to guard multiple positions allows for greater defensive flexibility, enabling the Bucks to switch seamlessly and disrupt opposing offenses. At this point, his overall effect on the team might be more important than what he can actually do one-on-one, and for a team already sporting multiple plus-defenders like Milwaukee, maybe that’s okay.
Beyond defense: offensive contributions to the Bucks
While defense is Prince's calling card, he also offers offensive value. He put up a decent 8.9 points, 2.9 boards and 1.5 assists per game for the Lakers this past season on 44.2 percent field goal shooting and 39.6 percent from behind the 3-point line.
That last number is what Milwaukee Bucks fans should be looking at. Prince is a capable 3-point shooter, which is essential in today's NBA. His ability to space the floor would create more driving lanes for Giannis Antetokounmpo and open up the offense for other players. Additionally, Prince is a versatile scorer who can create his own shot or play off the ball.
Even past floor-spacing, Prince is a capable and well-rounded scorer in his own right, albeit not the most polished one and certainly not someone you'd want facilitating an offense. He's an opportunistic cutter who can, at times, create his own shot and finish around the rim. This added scoring dimension makes him a more well-rounded player and reduces the offensive burden on Giannis.
Acquiring Taurean Prince is a significant step forward for the Milwaukee Bucks. His defensive versatility and offensive contributions address key areas of need for the team. By bolstering their defense and adding another scoring threat, the Milwaukee Bucks would become even more formidable opponents in the Eastern Conference.
Prince's defensive ability and team-first mentality align perfectly with the Bucks' culture. For all his flaws as a 3-and-D piece, he's been recognized for being a selfless player who prioritizes winning above individual accolades. His presence in the locker room would undoubtedly elevate the Bucks' defensive spirit and competitiveness.
Considering Milwaukee's bad luck with this particular player archetype over the years, Taurean Prince certainly represents a potential solution to the team's long-standing defensive woes, even if he's just a one-year rental.
Even this version of Prince is arguably already better than past attempts like Jae Crowder and Semi Ojeleye. His defensive versatility, combined with his offensive capabilities, make him a valuable asset for any team. If the Bucks can get the best version of him this season, it could significantly elevate their defensive prowess and solidify their waning status around the association as legitimate championship contenders.
While there are no guarantees in basketball, Prince's skill set and experience very much suggest he could be the missing piece the Bucks have been searching for - at least for now.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season.