'Won’t Really Enjoy Experience': Milwaukee Bucks Might Be Better Off Avoiding Traditional Point Guards, Analyst’s Comment Suggests

As long as the Bucks acquire another ball handler, they can make it work without a typical floor general.  Speaking on the “Locked On Bucks” podcast, analyst Camille Davis shared her thoughts on how they should approach team-building.

“If this is a team where Giannis is being your point guard on offense and initiating, having more combo guards around him makes some sense, because traditional point guards probably won’t enjoy the experience of not being able to play point guard next to a big that’s playing point for your team.”

The Denver Nuggets operate under a similar format with center Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, more of a point guard than anything the Bucks have but hardly the picture next to the definition. Several other teams run offense around a point-center – the Kings with Domantis Sabonis, the Rockets with Alperen Sengun. Giannis is Milwaukee’s point-forward.

Combo Guards Who Could Find Fit on Bucks’ Roster

It can work then, but that doesn’t obviate the need for a strong backcourt. “You’re still going to need the smaller guys, the ‘point guards,’ so to speak, to be guarding the opposing team’s point guard. So if you can bring some guys in, those combo guards, those ball handlers who can run a second unit in addition to playing that defense, that’s what you want,” Davis says.

One guy who could do that is Milwaukee’s own free agent Ryan Rollins, technically a point guard but really more of a 3-and-D type player, with room for ball handling growth.

In fact, many of the Bucks’ open-market options fit the combo guard classification: Malcolm Brogdon, De’Anthony Melton, Collin Sexton. The latter would require a trade with Charlotte, but it could be done. He and Brogdon in particular can both score and facilitate. The same goes for buyout candidates Bradley Beal and Cole Anthony.

(Quentin Grimes or Cam Thomas are also free agents, but they aren’t realistic options due to salary demands.)

Chris Paul headlines the pool of names in the traditional mold, but he is a poor roster fit due to age and defensive flaws, aside from needing the ball in a standard point guard’s capacity.

With Lillard gone, and given the free agents and trade targets left, the Bucks are fortunate to have Giannis and his rock-slinging faculties. At the same time, their lack of a true point guard makes them a promising destination for hybrids looking to feature prominently in the offense.