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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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LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 26: Christian Wood #5 of the UNLV Rebels looks to pass against the Colorado State Rams during their game at the Thomas & Mack Center on February 26, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 78-70. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 26: Christian Wood #5 of the UNLV Rebels looks to pass against the Colorado State Rams during their game at the Thomas & Mack Center on February 26, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 78-70. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Christian Wood

Wood has been in limbo since he made the All-NBA Summer League first team with the Bucks. Wood has been struggling to make a 15-man roster since he entered the NBA Draft after his sophomore season at UNLV. It was apparent that Wood was receiving interest from other teams during and immediately following the summer session, but not from Milwaukee according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Matt Velazquez.

We saw Wood impact around the basket in summer league averaging 20.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks. It’s easy to take Wood’s performance with a grain of salt, because he has played the past three seasons in the NBA/G-League and it was likely that he would dominate the younger competition around him.

Bucks’ fans surely loved to see Wood dominate, but in order to make this team he’s going to have to be able to hold his own against the other players on the roster. Bringing Wood to camp on a training camp deal not only will show you how he plays against top notch talent, but more importantly will determine how his game fits alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, etc. It’s easy to give it your all when you’re the focal point of the offense, but when you’re riding the bench it is much more difficult to bring that same energy.

One of the major reasons why Wood hasn’t stuck on an NBA roster is his lack of motor, but because he is fighting for his NBA life it’s hard to think that would be an issue.

A positive for Wood is that his skill set is different than other centers on the roster. In terms of long-term value, Wood is probably your best bet out of the group of three vying for the final roster spot. Although he is fighting for the 15th spot on the roster it is quite possible that he could be fighting for a prominent role, especially if players like DJ Wilson, Matthew Dellavedova, and John Henson fall off with the new regime.

Wood has the skills to thrive in the league with his ability already to catch lobs, rebound and block shots, but he has struggled to find his knack in the league. Fortunately for him, Mike Budenholzer has a history of using a players strengths and finding niche roles within their scheme.

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