It might have not been the finish the 2022 Milwaukee Bucks’ Summer League Team wanted, but their overall 3-2 record in Las Vegas, Nevada, presented a bunch of quality takeaways.
Following their 80-69 defeat at the hands of the Toronto Raptors, I’m here to provide a handful of lasting takeaways during Milwaukee’s five-game summer league campaign. Hopefully the points can actually be utilized to assist the 2022-2023 bucks’ roster in-season.
1. MarJon Beauchamp Deserves Meaningful Minutes His Rookie Year.
While Beauchamp didn’t have the most stellar showing in his summer league finale, he’s shown throughout his Vegas stint what it takes to be an impactful 3&D wing at the next level.
The G-League Ignite Product completed his stay with four games as a double-figured scorer, 11 total threes made and 9 combined steals/blocks. Couple these numbers with his on-court flashes as a shot-creating slasher, and it’s impossible to believe MJB can’t thrive with meaningful NBA minutes.
The dilemma resides in how Coach Bud will actually play him. With free-agent signee Joe Ingles expected to be out for nearly half the upcoming season, Beauchamp will be jockeying with the likes of Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton and Wesley Matthews for playing time as a secondary swing guard. I like his chances against this level of teammate competition if Budenholzer loosens his reigns.
2. Sandro Mamukelashvili Should Secure a Guaranteed Contract
Like MJB, Mamu didn’t have the ideal summer league exit performance he probably wanted. Nonetheless, his stretch with the bucks in Vegas was still phenomenal and arguably cemented his standing on the active Milwaukee roster.
Mamukelashvili averaged 17 points on 58% field goal shooting while also amassing 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in the five games. His ability as a stretch big, transition go-getter and an occasional perimeter/post defender were all highlighted throughout the weeks.
Which is why the mystique about his future usage on the bucks is massive. Re-signing Bobby Portis to a multiyear deal secures BP’s standing as the bucks’ future starting power forward . Playtime behind him is still up in the air albeit Serge Ibaka was maintained for another season as a veteran asset. The hope is that Coach Bud prioritizes the ability of his former 2021 second-round selection and applies it accordingly to the team’s philosophy and personnel.
3. At Worst, Lindell Wigginton Deserves Another Two-Way Contract
Wigginton already signed an Exhibit 10 deal with Milwaukee prior to summer league, but his five-game display all but magnified why he was a two-way player for them in 2021. The miniature guard thrived in his role as a second-unit backcourt initiator while also prospering in starter minutes his last two outings.
Wigginton averaged over 18 points on 53% field goal shooting during the five games played. He added 4.6 assists per game to his stat-line as well as shot 46% from three-point range further showcasing his ability as a catch-and-shoot prospect.
Last year, the Iowa State product played in 19 NBA games with the Milwaukee Bucks. With there being an opening for another two-way player spot, Wigginton should make a final push towards the active roster once again with his newly founded momentum.
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