Consider this an example of the adage “leave no stone unturned” when it comes to sorting through what the Bucks could do. Let it be known that this is a hypothetical exercise and is not a verdict on what should be done with each situation these players are all talented and fit in with the Bucks and could be a part of a renewed run at the title next season. The Bucks have a handful of seismic decisions to make – and precious little time to make them – so we will do our best to get an overview of the circumstances around those decisions and what outcomes are most likely. Just like throwing a pot of cooked spaghetti at the wall, you never know what shape you get from the bits that stick. Without the limits of “logic” or “common sense” constraining us, we can try our hand at building the next iteration of the Bucks roster. It might be easier to just run it back! There are a number of moves that need making, and each major decision affects the one after it successfully navigating this environment might be the most difficult task general manager Jon Horst has ever attempted.īut that doesn’t mean us amateurs can’t take a crack at it! We may not have years of experience or a treasure trove of data at our fingertips, but that gives us an advantage. Without a ticket to the dance, Milwaukee is on the outside looking in at the NBA Playoffs and figuring out their next moves to get back in the thick of it next postseason. Pinson, 25, has a statistical NBA resume that might make onlookers question why he’s playing basketball at all (seriously, his numbers are atrocious), but reports indicate that he’s simply a great presence in the locker room and someone that you want around your team.There is a lot for the Milwaukee Bucks to work out in the coming months. The Bucks have been previously tied to guards from the Westchester Knicks before, but Pinson’s acceptance of the Summer League invitation suggests that Milwaukee may have some interest in him as a two-way candidate, especially if Kalaitzakis is unable to join the team for some reason. The last player worth examining on the Bucks’ Vegas roster is Theo Pinson, most recently a member of the New York Knicks on a two-way contract. Expecting the same from Mamukelashvili is, in a word, unrealistic, but Summer League is the time for takes as hot as the temperature, so let’s sit back and enjoy the show. Jokic, too, was a second-round pick and largely overlooked until he was given the keys to the offense and allowed to simply produce. His scouting report gives the viewer the impression that Mamu plays like he’s trying to imitate Nikola Jokic, the league’s reigning MVP. Even still, a perusal of his highlights shows a player who moves remarkably well for his size, is eminently comfortable with the ball in his hands, and appears capable of both hitting shots and setting up teammates. The Seton Hall center was drafted 57th overall and obviously has fundamental questions about his viability as an NBA big man. Going down the list, the Bucks’ (two-way) signed second-round pick will also be with the team, and Sandro Mamukelashvili might be in the running for the “Most Fun Summer League Player” award. For Diakite, he clearly knows how to play the game and use his length, but his general athleticism and strength have kept him from breaking through into the league. For Nwora, offense is never an issue (when you can hit shots like he can, passing is a secondary focus), so most will be paying attention to his defensive performance to see if there is any noticeable improvement. ![]() ![]() ![]() These two figure to get the majority of attention from fans and scouts alike, and each has a clear area of improvement to focus on. Nwora is coming off a stellar scoring performance with Nigeria at the Olympics, and Diakite remains the Bucks’ only reserve center behind Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis. ![]() In terms of who is attending Summer League, Jordan Nwora and Mamadi Diakite are the only players representing the 15-man roster. Given that the Bucks aren’t sending him to Vegas, it’s possible that they’ve seen enough to know what Bryant offers and, if circumstances demand it, are comfortable cutting him loose without any additional attention. As we discussed ad nauseam during the opening week of free agency, Bryant has a fully non-guaranteed contract for this season, and would be the most obvious candidate to be waived in order to free up another roster spot. Unfortunately FIBA is not operating 24/7.- Harris Stavrou August 8, 2021Īnother surprising omission is Elijah Bryant, a last-second regular season signing by the Bucks who has no other previous NBA experience, outside of his previous participation in Summer League and training camps. Milwaukee Bucks are still waiting to get Giorgos Kalaitzakis' letter of clearance, in order to evaluate him in Las Vegas Summer League.
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