Sometimes, a second chance is all a player needs.
For Gary Trent Jr., that chance could be coming soon. The Bucks wing lost his starting spot earlier this season after a rough stretch, but with the team searching for answers, it might be time to give him another shot. Trent’s shooting could be a game-changer for this new-look lineup, especially with Bobby Portis out and the offense needing a spark.
While we’re at it, let’s not forget about Andre Jackson Jr. The Bucks need his defense, energy and verticality now more than ever. In their 118-89 blowout win over the shorthanded Lakers, Jackson showed flashes of what he can still bring: pushing the pace, making smart passes and bringing that infectious energy off the bench.
The win was encouraging, but the Milwaukee Bucks have not exactly been playing up to their competition in their past few wins. After their post-All-Star surge, they've fallen back down to Earth, and the same problems that showed earlier in the season are rearing their ugly heads again.
If it wasn't already clear, it should be now: it’s time for Doc Rivers to shake things up. Perhaps revisiting the rotations is the first step.
These wings might give the new-look Bucks exactly what they need
Gary Trent Jr. didn’t exactly light the world on fire the first time he started for the Milwaukee Bucks. But let’s be real; shooting slumps do happen in this association.
What doesn’t change is Trent’s ability to stretch the floor. This is a guy who’s shooting 42.1 percent from three for the season so far. That kind of shooting is exactly what the Bucks need right now. Whether the shots are actually going in or not, you can bet opposing defenses are going to respect him. With Portis sidelined and Kyle Kuzma still finding his rhythm, Trent’s ability to knock down open shots could open up the floor for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Sure, he’s not perfect. Trent’s defense can be hit-or-miss, and he’s not exactly a playmaker. But in a lineup that already has Giannis and Lillard handling the bulk of the creation, Trent doesn’t need to do much more than shoot. And when he’s on, he’s one of the best in the league at it.
While Trent could help the offense, Andre Jackson Jr. could be the defensive spark the Bucks desperately need. Jackson’s energy and athleticism are exactly what this team is missing right now.
Against the Lakers, even in garbage time, the young wing showed why he belongs in the rotation, even with his supposed limitations on the offensive side of the ball. He pushed the pace, made smart decisions with the ball and brought that relentless hustle the Milwaukee Bucks have been lacking.
Jackson is not a scorer, and with what his new teammates can provide, maybe that’s okay. What he brings is defense, rebounding and a willingness to do the dirty work. With both Bobby Portis and Jericho Sims out, the Bucks have two huge needs: someone who can bring energy off the bench and someone who can defend. Jackson is that guy. He might not fill up the stat sheet, but his impact goes beyond numbers. It’s time to give him a real shot.
None of this is to ignore the obvious flaws in their games, which were the reason Trent and Jackson lost their places in the rotation in the first place. They're both inconsistent players who have us thinking they're the answer to all our problems one game and deserving of losing their spots the next.
Trent's defense simply offsets what he gets you on offense at times, and it's the complete opposite for Jackson, who clogs up the offense so much you'd think he was playing for the other team. But this time around, Trent will be playing next to a defender like Kyle Kuzma, and perhaps Jackson can come off the bench with a floor-spacer like AJ Green or a slashing playmaker like Kevin Porter Jr. The point is that things have changed in the roster, and perhaps the rotations should, too.
The truth of the matter is that the Milwaukee Bucks have got the talent to compete, but something’s still been missing in this last stretch of games. The offense can feel stagnant and overly reliant on the superstars, and the defense has been inconsistent. Giving Trent and Jackson more minutes might not solve everything, but it’s a start. Trent’s shooting could open up the floor, while Jackson’s energy could give the defense a much-needed boost as it has in the past.
It’s not about loyalty or past mistakes. It’s about finding what works. Trent and Jackson might not be perfect, but they bring something this team needs. And right now, that’s enough. The Bucks are too talented to let this season slip away. Sometimes, a second chance is all it takes to turn things around. Let’s see what these guys can do.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.