Through three preseason games, the Milwaukee Bucks’ rotation picture is starting to come into focus, and Kasparas Jakucionis is looking more like a wait-and-see piece than an immediate part of the plan.
The rookie has barely gotten on the floor. Jakucionis has logged just 17.6 minutes so far, which puts him 16th on the team.
He has trailed Kam Jones and Cormac Ryan, both two-way players, as well as Bogoljub Markovic, a raw rookie, and Jake Stephens, an Exhibit 10 player. At this point, it feels clear he is not part of the current rotation.
That is not exactly a shock. The Bucks have spent months dealing with a crowded group of guards, and the idea that Jakucionis would suddenly jump past Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., or AJ Green always seemed like a long shot given their age, experience, and contract situations. So far, that has played out as expected.
What is a little more notable is that he has played less than Caris LeVert, who has been on the court for 28.8 minutes. LeVert is one of three players on the roster over 30 and does not appear to be part of Milwaukee’s long-term picture, so his heavier preseason workload stands out. It may be a case of the Bucks showcasing him ahead of roster cuts, but either way, it is a wrinkle worth noticing.
Jakucionis’ opportunity may simply be delayed, not denied. The Bucks could eventually create room by moving a guard during the season.
Rollins, Herro, and Porter are all set to hit NBA Free Agency next summer, and if Milwaukee is not prepared to pay big money to keep all three, one of them could become expendable. That would clear a path for Jakucionis to carve out a larger role.
Until then, a G League stint would not be surprising. The Bucks have leaned on the Wisconsin Herd as a development spot in the past, giving young players more responsibility there to accelerate their growth. Jakucionis could follow that same route while he waits for his NBA chance.
And there is no question he has tools worth developing. His passing and shooting stand out, and he is still only scratching the surface of what he can become. The opportunity may not be here yet, but it does feel like it is coming.
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Bucks Bench Battle Is Creating A Tough Rotation Call For Jenkins
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Among the names standing out, the rookies have been making a case for themselves, giving the coaching staff something to weigh beyond the usual veteran comfort level. There is a real competition building for those reserve spots, with the Bucks still trying to sort out which bench group can offer the right balance of energy, size and reliability without forcing Jenkins to leave useful pieces on the sideline. [Read more 🡒]