In the wake of the Milwaukee Bucks’ 128-116 loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night, the offense left one question hanging over everything: who is going to be the third option?
Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. carried most of the load, with both newcomers clearing 20 points and looking like the clear top two scoring threats against Washington. The problem was everything behind them. The rest of the starters managed just 25 points on 10-for-30 shooting, and while the bench added 45 more - powered by Kasparas Jakučionis and Brayden Burries - the Bucks still needed more from somewhere else.
Ryan Rollins is the name that stands out as the most realistic answer. Even in a rough offensive night, he showed enough to suggest he can grow into that second-to-third option.
He took the second-most shots on the team and got good looks, but the shots simply weren’t dropping. Most of his damage came in the paint and while driving to the basket, not from mid-range or beyond the arc.
With Herro and Myles Turner stretching the floor as perimeter threats, Rollins should have room to keep attacking inside and build rhythm from there.
There’s also a larger offensive vision taking shape. The Bucks can see a season in which Herro and Jaquez Jr. form the 1-2 scoring punch, but that only works if somebody else gives them steady production.
That brings Myles Turner into the conversation for multiple reasons. The veteran center shot well from the floor, yet he finished last among the starters in field-goal attempts.
He is the team’s second-highest paid player, has the most experience on the roster, and should be near the top of the trade block list. Used the right way, Turner could help Milwaukee run a more reliable offense while also making himself more appealing to other teams in need of a center.
Still, the Bucks can’t afford to ignore what’s right in front of them. Turner is a talented player on the wrong team, but he can still contribute while he’s there. And while it would be nice if he shouldered more of the scoring burden, his game is already pretty well known both inside and outside the organization.
That leaves Rollins as the real answer. Last season’s leap may turn out to be real, or it may not, but either way it matters for his future value with Milwaukee.
If Herro is still around, Rollins may eventually have to give way so that either Brayden Burries or Kasparas Jakucionis can get first-team reps. For now, though, the Bucks need him to keep producing if they want to stay competitive and keep him in the long-term picture.
Kyle Kuzma, meanwhile, is not that guy. He posted what was described as a rather remarkable lowlight tape in the opener, and feeding him more would only hurt his trade value.
Kevin Porter Jr. was part of the offseason purge, while Rollins survived it. The Bucks need him to keep proving he belongs.
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