Caris LeVert has done little so far to inspire confidence in Milwaukee, but the Bucks still came out on top in the deal that brought him in.
That’s because the real win in the July trade wasn’t LeVert’s preseason production - it was the draft capital the Bucks picked up along the way. Milwaukee sent Taurean Prince and Gary Harris to Detroit and got LeVert plus two future second-round picks in return.
The players involved were never the centerpiece of the move. Milwaukee wanted the picks.
Detroit wanted salary relief. Both sides got what they were after.
And in a league where every draft pick carries weight, even a pair of second-rounders matters. Teams are increasingly careful about giving up any future assets, and the Bucks were willing to absorb LeVert’s expiring contract if it meant adding to their stash. If he provides anything on the floor, that’s a bonus.
So far, though, the on-court part has been rough. LeVert has appeared in two preseason games and hasn’t made a shot, going 0-for-5 from the field and missing both free throws. He’s also turned the ball over five times and sits at minus-25, which is third worst on the team.
That kind of start probably isn’t helping his case for a bigger spot in the guard rotation, especially with youngsters like Brayden Burries making a push. Still, there may be value in LeVert beyond the box score. His work in training camp has stood out for the right reasons, with one of the team’s oldest players helping steer the younger group in the right direction.
If Milwaukee decides to keep him, that by itself gives the Bucks something of value moving forward.
In Other News...
Kyle Kuzma Just Made The Bucks Starting Decision Tougher
Kyle Kuzma gave the Bucks another reason to keep mulling over the frontcourt mix in their third preseason game, turning in a solid all-around showing that fit neatly into the kind of lineup experimentation Milwaukee has leaned into this month. Taylor Jenkins has been testing different looks as the staff tries to sort out roles, and the power forward spot has emerged as one of the clearest unresolved pieces as camp winds down.
Kelel Ware got a look in Kuzmas place in the second preseason game, which only added to the sense that this decision is still very much open. With two exhibition games left before the Bucks have to settle on a starting group, Kuzmas latest performance made the choice a little less straightforward and a lot more interesting. [Read more 🡒]
Bucks Bench Battle Is Creating A Tough Rotation Call For Jenkins
The Bucks have spent the preseason mixing veterans with younger players on the bench, using those minutes as a live audition rather than a settled rotation. Taylor Jenkins has kept changing the combinations to see who fits best, and that has given Milwaukee a better feel for which players can bring efficiency and production when the regular season starts to matter.
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 🡒]
Bucks Already Face A Kasparas Jakucionis Backcourt Dilemma
Kasparas Jakucionis has barely gotten his feet wet in the Bucks preseason, and the early usage says plenty about where he stands in the backcourt pecking order. Through Milwaukees first three exhibition games, the young guard has been on the floor sparingly while the team sorts through a crowded group of ball handlers and perimeter players, leaving little immediate room for him to work his way into the rotation.
For a Bucks team that needs to balance present-day depth with long-term development, Jakucionis already looks like a player whose path may not be straightforward. Milwaukee has options to sort through, whether that means making a roster adjustment at guard or finding a way to get him steadier minutes with the Wisconsin Herd so he can keep developing in a real game setting. [Read more 🡒]