3 questions about the start of the season for the Milwaukee Bucks Shooting Guards

As the Milwaukee Bucks kick off their 2024-25 season against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 23rd, we continue our position breakdown and focus on Milwaukee’s shooting guards.

The Bucks are making the final changes to their preparation, and as the backcourt is remodeled around Damian Lillard, the shooting guard rotation raises several important questions. Let’s look at three of them that will help determine the course of this season.

How well will Gary Trent Jr. play on defense?

The Bucks secured Gary Trent Jr. on a one-year veteran minimum contract – an absolute steal for a player of his caliber.

While he’s not a perfect fit for Lillard defensively, he’s a significant improvement over what Milwaukee could otherwise afford. The team is hoping Trent will fill the role that Malik Beasley held last season – albeit with a stronger performance on both ends of the floor.

On offense, Trent brings a quicker release and a better feel for finding space in defense. He can also be creative with the ball in his hands, giving the Bucks a backup option for occasional secondary plays. But Milwaukee won’t ask him to do too much outside his lane.

The bigger swing factor will be Trent’s defense. While he won’t make an All-Defensive team, Trent brings swagger and a willingness to pressure opposing guards – something the Bucks sorely lacked last season. His ability to hold on to ball players through screens, break up dribbles and stay engaged in defense will be crucial.

How well Trent handles his defensive duties will go a long way toward determining Milwaukee’s playoff ceiling. In a season where the offense will carry much of the load, the Bucks need reliable defenders to prevent their opponents from turning games into shootouts. Trent’s ability to rise to the challenge could determine how far Milwaukee goes in the postseason.

Can AJ Green crack the rotation?

There’s a joke that Doc Rivers doesn’t like playing young players, but at 25 years old, AJ Green may have outgrown that label. With his elite shooting, Green has a real chance to carve out a significant role in the Bucks’ rotation this season.

His specialty is his rapid-fire three-point shot, which he can fire from almost anywhere on the court. If he continues to hit at a rate of 41 percent from deep, Rivers will have a hard time keeping him on the bench.

The Bucks already have eight rotation locks — Lillard, Wright, Trent Jr., Khris Middleton, Taurean Prince, Bobby Portis, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez — leaving room for two more players. Pat Connaughton will likely grab one of those spots, leaving Green to battle with freshmen AJ Johnson and Andre Jackson Jr. for the final spot.

If Green can establish himself as a reliable floor defender, his shooting will be a valuable weapon. Lillard and Antetokounmpo draw so much attention, and the Bucks need players who can capitalize on the resulting open appearances. The door is open for Green to step into this role – he just has to walk through it.

How much time will Delon Wright spend at shooting guard?

Delon Wright’s versatility makes him a crucial piece in Milwaukee’s rotation, and his role could change depending on the outcome of the roster battle. Wright is already slated to be Lillard’s primary backup at point guard, but could just as easily slot in behind Trent Jr. as a backup shooter.

The development of Green and Johnson could be crucial. If one of them proves ready to take over at shooting guard, Wright will remain on board as the backup point guard. If not, Wright’s role could expand to a hybrid guard spot, playing significant minutes at both positions.

The beauty of having Wright is that his skills complement Milwaukee’s roster regardless of where he plays.

He brings size, defensive versatility and a solid offensive presence while filling gaps wherever needed. Whether he spends more time at the 1 or 2, Wright will be crucial in balancing the Bucks’ rotation and ensuring they can handle Lillard’s workload throughout the season.

The conclusion

Shooting guard offers Milwaukee both opportunity and uncertainty.

Trent Jr.’s defense will play a crucial role in how far the Bucks can go, while Green has a unique opportunity to establish himself as a rotation piece. Wright’s flexibility gives the team some much-needed security, but the competition between Green and Johnson could determine exactly where he fits.

If these questions are answered positively, the Bucks’ backfield will take a positive step forward and position them for serious title contention.