The Milwaukee Bucks are off to a slow start this season, currently possessing a 4-9 record after a controversy-filled game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Though we are just 13 games in, there are already a handful of shocking storylines that have played a part in this season's early returns, both good and bad. That said, let us analyze five of those.
Gary Trent Jr. coming off the bench
When the Milwaukee Bucks signed Gary Trent Jr. this offseason, many rightfully penciled him as the team's starting shooting guard. Initially, Trent did occupy the role, but not without plenty of struggles. With the wing struggling to find his place in the lineup, Doc Rivers made a bold change and sent him to the second unit, hoping a change of scenery might help.
While the Bucks are still waiting to see it consistently, Trent has finally started to find his rhythm as a member of the bench brigade, knocking down his shots and playing pesky defense. There's no doubt that Milwaukee's bench has been a weak point this season, and if Trent can keep this up, he could be a key factor in changing that. They need their prized offseason acquisition to get it going.
Ryan Rollins earning legitimate minutes
Bucks fans have been begging for Doc Rivers to get the younger players involved since last season, and he is finally listening. While Andre Jackson Jr. and AJ Green seeing more time has not been too shocking, the inclusion of two-way guard Ryan Rollins has been. Before getting hurt recently, Rollins replaced veteran Delon Wright entirely as Milwaukee's backup point guard.
While he might not be putting up the flashiest numbers nightly, Rollins is making a clear impact when he takes the court. Defensively, he's utilized his height, length and athleticism to bother other guards. Offensively, he's got a nice-looking perimeter shot, but he also takes time to find his teammates as a facilitator. He's currently hurt, but the 22-year-old rising guard should be a key piece upon returning.
Brook Lopez's offensive regression
Since joining the Bucks many years ago, Brook Lopez has been an incredible complementary piece on offense, largely due to his 3-point shooting for a player his size. Yet, through 13 games this year, he's having his least-productive season to date, averaging 10.5 points on a mere 40.2 percent field goal shooting and 30 percent from downtown. Numbers like this simply won't cut it.
A 29-point outburst showed that Brook Lopez does indeed have some fuel left in the tank on offense, but he's failed to put the pieces together consistently. Part of that may be due to shot selection, as he is rushing shots often, especially transition 3-pointers. It would be nice to see the center settle down and get better looks for himself amid what has been a grueling slump.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's mid-range reliance
Throughout his NBA career, Giannis Antetokounmpo has made a living attacking the hoop. Though he is still doing that this season, he's keeping defenses on their toes by also pulling up for an occasional mid-range jumper. On the year, Giannis is shooting 26-of-56 (46.4 percent) on his mid-range jumpers, an impressive feat for a player who is not known for his jump shooting.
Obviously, the mid-range just makes Giannis all the more lethal offensively. If teams will wall off the paint to prevent him from attacking, he can pull up and sink a mid-range jumper to put points on the board. Of course, there are still plenty of games left this season, so it remains to be seen if Giannis can remain consistent, but there's no denying that he has confidence in this particular shot.
Khris Middleton's continued absence
The Milwaukee Bucks have been anything but clear with Khris Middleton's injury status following his offseason surgeries. Initially, the belief was that he'd be ready for the regular season opener. Rivers even said they would try to get him on the floor in the preseason. However, 13 games into the season, Middleton has reportedly not even started doing five-on-five work yet, a key step in his rehab.
The Bucks need Middleton, but they also need him healthy. The ever-changing injury return timelines have made this entire situation murky, and it remains to be seen just how close - if close at all - he is to making his season debut. Until Khris Middleton is back on the floor, this will be a prominent story to keep an eye on moving forward.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.