Rotation decision from loss to Knicks could be brutal sign for Bucks veteran

The guard didn't make his brief appearance until the game was already decided.

Milwaukee Bucks v Chicago Bulls
Milwaukee Bucks v Chicago Bulls | Justin Casterline/GettyImages

It's not far-fetched to say that Delon Wright has been one of the biggest disappointments for the Milwaukee Bucks this season.

Signed to a minimum deal last offseason, many viewed the veteran guard as a flat-out steal, but he's been anything but that. Wright is putting up career lows in virtually every category, and he's failed to be a key component in Milwaukee's rotation lately, with Doc Rivers rolling with Ryan Rollins, who isn't even on a standard contract, over him as the backup ball-handler to Damian Lillard.

When the team is healthy, it makes sense that Wright isn't in the rotation. However, when the team is missing several pieces and he still isn't seeing meaningful time, like what happened in the recent loss to the New York Knicks, eyebrows get raised.

Delon Wright has fallen out of favor, even when the Bucks are banged up

Even with the Milwaukee Bucks missing two key pieces in Gary Trent Jr. and Ryan Rollins, Wright did not enter the game until about midway through the fourth quarter. By then, the contest had already been decided, so Wright was simply out there for mop-up duty to preserve the key cogs.

It's not a great sign for Delon Wright when Doc Rivers rolls with the duo of MarJon Beauchamp and Pat Connaughton over him. Neither of those players have been in the rotation this season, and they certainly didn't have the lofty expectations that Delon Wright did.

While the numbers certainly aren't great - he's averaging 2.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 27.3 percent from three - Wright hasn't been flat-out unplayable. His defense, which is why he was signed in the first place, has been useful in spurts. Players are shooting a mere 41.1 percent when he's the closest defender, which is one of the best marks on the entire team.

Yet, it feels as if the defensive production does not outweigh the concerns and near-liability status on the other side of the ball. In that regard, it makes sense for Ryan Rollins to get more minutes than him, but when he and another key guard are both unavailable, it is surprising - and a brutal blow for him - that Delon Wright isn't in the mix for the Milwaukee Bucks.

There's still time for Wright to turn things around, but things are not looking great for him right now.

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