The Milwaukee Bucks were already looking at a void at guard when Damian Lillard went down with a torn Achilles.
Just from a vibes perspective, the void got larger when they traded him away. His veteran presence is gone, and the backcourt will have to figure things out on its own.
One backcourt player, talented point guard Ryan Rollins, could be the key to the whole operation.
Rollins might be the X-factor to Milwaukee's season, and in turn, a crucial piece to keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo with the Bucks long term.
"The former two-way player is behind a bunch of better-known players in Milwaukee's depth chart," writes ESPN's Zach Kram. "But Rollins is already the best defender in Milwaukee's backcourt, and his 3-point stroke is promising enough (41% on relatively low volume last season) that he can be a viable two-way contributor. This is partially a prediction about believing in Rollins -- and partially a prediction about not believing in Milwaukee's other perimeter players."
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The Bucks have guys like Kevin Porter Jr. and A.J. Green expected to play big roles in the backcourt.
But because of Rollins' defense, shooting and distribution skills, he has the right skillset to fit into an offense that revolves around Giannis.
Milwaukee has a bit of a new look this season without Lillard and Brook Lopez, and now with Myles Turner on board. It could take the Bucks a little time to adjust to their new operation.
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Rollins is the type of player who can fit into any system, though. And that could be critical here.
As the Bucks seek to find who they are, Rollins can be malleable into whatever spot they need him in. And they'll realize how useful that is soon enough. If Rollins plays to his potential, the Bucks can do very good things this year.
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