The G-League is a great tool for teams to use to build their rosters. It can give young players more playing time and can also be a place for injured stars to get some practice in before returning. The Bucks are taking full advantage of their G-League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd. The Bucks have assigned 3 players to the G-League.
Bucks Assign 3 Players To G-League
Per the team, the Milwaukee Bucks have assigned Khris Middleton, MarJon Beauchamp and Thanasis Antetokounmpo to the Wisconsin Herd.
(Reminder: Herd don’t play a game until Saturday. This is likely a practice so Middleton can get some work in.)
— Eric Nehm (@eric_nehm) November 23, 2022
3 players, Khris Middleton, MarJon Beauchamp, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, have all been assigned to the Wisconsin Herd. For Middleton, the reason is pretty simple. He is still working back from injury and the Herd gives him a chance to work back slowly and completely recover. While the Bucks have started strong, they miss Middleton. He gives them another scoring option and opens up lanes for Giannis Antetokounmpo. They can survive without him in the short term but long term they will need his scoring and presence on the court.
What About The Other Two?
When the news dropped some immediately questioned why Beauchamp was assigned to the Herd. While Beauchamp has done a great job filling in, he is about to lose his spot in the rotation. He only played five minutes against Portland on Monday and with Middleton, Pat Connaughton, and Wesley Matthews coming off the injury list soon, his playing time will be cut. The Bucks want him to continue to develop so heading to the G-League will mean he will get significant minutes. This is the same reason that Thanasis Antetokounmpo is being sent down. The Bucks want to develop their young players and go for the NBA championship. The G-League allows them to have the best of both worlds.
The best thing about the Bucks’ hot start is that they have not had to rush Middleton back. Also, getting Beauchamp reps in the NBA will also help his long-term development. Things are looking good for the Bucks and it will be interesting to see what this team looks like when everyone is healthy.
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