There’s a chance veteran guard Patrick Beverley won’t return to the Milwaukee Bucks next season. If he doesn’t, the front office may look at Philadelphia 76ers’ De’Anthony Melton as his potential replacement.
During Melton’s final year playing for the USC Trojans, several individuals involved in college basketball were charged with fraud and corruption due to allegations of receiving financial benefits to retain the services of certain student-athletes. The current Sixers guard was suspended by his university for having a relative caught up in that scandal.
Even with that controversy, Melton still declared for the 2018 NBA Draft and got selected by the Houston Rockets using the 46th pick. A few months after, the guard was traded to the Phoenix Suns and spent his rookie campaign there. In the 50 games he played in the Valley, 31 as the starting point guard, the former USC star averaged 5.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest.
Now in his sixth year in the league, Melton has established himself as a capable two-way guard who can both facilitate an offense and defend well on the other end of the court. In the 38 games he played in Philly this season, he posted averages of 11.1 points on 36 percent shooting from downtown, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
De’Anthony Melton Named as Potential Patrick Beverley Replacement for Milwaukee Bucks
As it stands, controversial guard Patrick Beverley’s contract for the Bucks has just ended. If he decides to sign up with another team, Milwaukee’s front office can fill that void by acquiring Melton in free agency. Dalton Sell explained why this is a solid move in an article for Behind the Buck Pass.
“Melton is a tremendous defender at the guard position. Although he stands at 6-foot-2, he boasts a lengthy 6-foot-8 wingspan, which he utilizes to flat-out hound his opponents. On top of his excellent play on defense, he’s a strong offensive player, holding career averages of 9.1 points and 2.8 assists while shooting 36.9 percent from deep. A two-way guard like that could work wonders for this team.
Melton’s versatility would be of great use to Milwaukee. He could primarily serve as the team’s backup to Damian Lillard, leading the charge off of the bench. However, he could also be used in lineups next to Lillard, providing excellent perimeter defense and taking pressure off of the superstar point guard nightly, allowing him to focus more on his output offensively,” Sell wrote.
Like Beverley before him, Melton’s contract with the Sixers has ended after this season. This makes him an ideal replacement for the controversial guard and a capable backup or backcourt partner for All-Star Damian Lillard.
Most teams will be in need of a guard with Melton’s skills during the offseason. If the Bucks get him first, they’ll gain someone who can contribute right from the get-go next season.
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