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Milwaukee Bucks: Who will round out the Bucks roster?

By Dylan Piccolo

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 23: Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against David Nwaba #11 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 23, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 23: Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against David Nwaba #11 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 23, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 23: Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against David Nwaba #11 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 23, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 23: Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives against David Nwaba #11 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 23, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

The last couple spots on the Milwaukee Bucks’ roster will be up for grabs. Who are the guys who could earn the final spot?

For the second season in a row, the Milwaukee Bucks will have a group of training camp invitees that will duke it out for the final roster spot alongside the unguaranteed contract of Tyler Zeller.

Although Travis Trice, Jordan Barnett, and Brandon McCoy will be invited to the camp, it appears that it will be a three-man race for the roster spot between Zeller, summer league sensation Christian Wood and Shabazz Muhammad. These guys will be showcasing during the preseason that they are the right guy to fill out the end of the bench for the Bucks.

Tyler Zeller

The Bucks acquired Zeller in February for Rashad Vaughn and a second round pick. With Vaughn seeing his minutes decrease to zero and the Bucks lacking a big that could both rebound and defend, the deal made sense.

Zeller’s stats per 36 minutes last season were impressive at 12.5 points and 9.8 rebounds. Although he wasn’t the ideal center to play alongside  Giannis Antetokounmpo, he was a vast improvement over Thon Maker and John Henson from a production standpoint. In terms of value at the end of the bench, he will bring a consistent rebounding presence for Budenholzer and will be a physical center to use at his discretion.

Zeller is a known commodity in the NBA at this point and the Bucks  know what they are getting from him. The issue for Zeller is that the Bucks signed an upgraded version of himself in Brook Lopez this summer.

Another factor that will play into the decision is the long-term value of the player they choose. Zeller on the surface appears to be a journeyman center for years to come and he may not be in the long-term plans for the Bucks. If management thinks Wood or Muhammed can be on this team for years to come then it might be time to cut ties with Zeller while there is an opportunity to add a piece that could help this team long-term.

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