The Milwaukee Bucks will have to tread carefully during this season, yielding the best possible results until forward Jabari Parker can rejoin them, which could reportedly take until after the All-Star break. The team's starting lineup includes Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon, sharp-shooting options in Tony Snell and a now-healthy Khris Middleton, plus All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo and another second-year stud in Thon Maker, who shined during the postseason in limited minutes.
But a very thin bench could make former trade asset Greg Monroe into the most valuable piece the Bucks have until Parker comes back, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.
Their top three reserves are Matthew Dellavedova, Mirza Teletovic and Greg Monroe. Teletovic spent time out of the rotation last season, and lineups pairing Dellavedova and Brogdon — a necessity given the short bench — were a disaster.
Monroe might be the single most important bench player in the league.
Opponents have figured out to pass over and around Milwaukee's frenzied trapping defense. Only four teams allowed more shots in the restricted area; only seven gave up more threes.
The Bucks have rounded out their lineup with very dynamic pieces that can play at both ends, making them perhaps the single most-capable two-way lineup in the league after the Golden State Warriors, but their bench is thinner than a taco truck napkin — which could make Monroe invaluable as an instant-offense asset off Jason Kidd's bench.
Monroe wasn't a fit for Kidd's rotation, ultimately switched to a bench role, which allowed him to power his way through second units. A stand-and-bang power forward-turned-center with nifty footwork and solid touch with both hands, the lefty big man could cash in on his value after earning $17.9 million this season before becoming an unrestricted agent at the end of it.
The Georgetown standout averaged 11.7 points on 53.4 percent shooting from the floor and 6.6 rebounds per game in 22.5 minutes per game last season. His production grew in the postseason, despite garnering identical minutes, posting 13.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, shooting a crisp 83.3 percent from the foul line after going toe-to-toe with 7-footer Jonas Valanciunas.
Follow Us
Subscribe