With the NBA season less than three months away, it’s only right for analysts nationwide to begin projecting this years’ starting lineups for every NBA team. Specifically, the focus will be on the Milwaukee Bucks who have begun to complete their training camp roster ahead of the new basketball campaign.
Last season, the bucks predominately maneuvered throughout the regular-season without their complete starting core from their 2021 title run. Center Brook Lopez played just 13 regular season games because of his back injury and was noticeably not the same interior force in the postseason that he was a year ago.
Players like Grayson Allen and Bobby Portis each received enhanced minutes and became key contributors last year to cover for some of their absent teammates. With the team’s health crisis in a much better place this time around, here are the projected starting, second unit and small-ball lineups that the bucks should utilize this season.
The Starting Five
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Grayson Allen
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Brook Lopez
Lineup X-Factor: Grayson Allen
Last season, the play of Grayson Allen was the most impactful investment throughout the team’s campaign. Career-highs in points per game (11.1) and three-point percentage (40.9) made him a regular spark within the team’s starting lineup. It’s fair to assume Allen will man the starting shooting guard spot once again while continuing to be a productive complement alongside Jrue Holiday.
The Second Unit
PG: Jevon Carter
SG: Pat Connaughton
SF: MarJon Beauchamp
PF: Bobby Portis
C: Serge Ibaka
Lineup X-Factor: Marjon Beauchamp
Beauchamp flashed during the summer league as a talented rookie 3&D wing. The former G-League Ignite Product recorded a 45% three-point percentage on 24 distance shot attempts during his Las Vegas stint. He collected around a block a game alongside 0.8 steals per matchup further positioning himself as the hidden gem within the projected bucks’ second-unit lineup.
The Small Ball Lineup
PG: Jrue Holiday
SG: Pat Connaughton
SF: Khris Middleton
PF: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Bobby Portis
Lineup X-Factor: Bobby Portis
As the team’s starting center most of the prior season, Portis excelled with career-highs in points per game (14.9) and rebounds per game (9.1) that solidified his standing as the team’s small-ball five. For the games ahead, BP’s positional standing will be an integral piece for Milwaukee’s “undersized” lineup against matchup-centric opponents.
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