With rumors intensifying, it would be surprising if the Milwaukee Bucks' starting five for next season is comprised of players all currently on the roster. The Bucks are bound to make a move or two over the next several months to beef up their post-Giannis Antetokounmpo retool. Let's look at three starting lineup options depending on which direction they go.
Rollins, Herro, Dieng, Kuminga, Turner
While their inclusion in the rumor mill has quieted down lately, the Milwaukee Bucks have been among the teams chasing Jonathan Kuminga via sign-and-trade. A 23-year-old who would beef up a position of need, he would fit seamlessly with the rest of this group of youngsters. After bouncing around with Golden State and Atlanta, this could be the most prominent opportunity of Kuminga's young career.
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of this lineup is that Ousmane Dieng would start at the small forward position. While potential-filled, many will question if he is starter material. However, given that Kuminga isn't much of a perimeter shooter, it would make sense to slot Dieng, who is, next to him over other poor outside shooters like Jaime Jaquez Jr. or Kyle Kuzma.
Rollins, Herro, Jaquez, Watson, Turner
This right here would be the dream scenario. Jake Fischer (subscription required) mentions that the Milwaukee Bucks are viewed as the likeliest suitor to pry Watson away from the Denver Nuggets in a sign-and-trade, and fans should be thrilled. The 23-year-old showed glimpses of potential during his time with Denver but could truly spread his wings as Milwaukee's new starting power forward.
This lineup has it all. Between the five, there is plenty of shooting, defense, facilitating, and energetic players to give opposing teams trouble. With Watson a capable perimeter threat, Jaquez, who is not, slots into the starting five to give Milwaukee a balanced attack, sending Dieng to the second unit to provide support. Watson seemingly remains Milwaukee's top target to make this unit a reality.
Rollins, Herro, Mathurin, Kuzma, Turner
This one would raise some eyebrows. HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reporting that the Bucks have done homework on restricted free agent Bennedict Mathurin was certainly a puzzling update. The Bucks' backcourt is already overflowing with players, so adding another guard to the mix would be quite the shocker.
While Mathurin, 6-foot-5, is a shooting guard in the eyes of many, he actually has spent most of his career at the small forward spot. Per Basketball Reference, he has played 59 percent of his minutes as a small forward compared to just 31 at the two-guard. Perhaps the Bucks think they could figure out how to roll with a Rollins, Herro, and Mathurin trio upfront.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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