Since Kevin Porter Jr. returned to the lineup, the Milwaukee Bucks have been trying to recalibrate their backcourt dynamics-and that recalibration hit a snag against Toronto.
Porter has clearly taken the reins as the team’s offensive catalyst. His high-usage, high-variance style has become the heartbeat of the Bucks’ attack.
Meanwhile, Ryan Rollins, who had been thriving in a more prominent role, has seen his impact wane. He’s tried to adapt, shifting into more of an off-ball role, but the spark that once defined his game has dimmed.
In an effort to get more out of both guards, head coach Doc Rivers opted to bring Rollins off the bench. On paper, it’s a logical move-stagger the minutes, let each guard run the show in their own window. But in practice, especially with Kyle Kuzma out sick, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
Without Kuzma, the Bucks were already short on creators. AJ Green returned from a shoulder injury, but wasn’t at full strength.
The starting five-Porter, Green, Myles Turner, Jericho Sims, and Gary Trent Jr.-lacked punch. And it showed.
Trent, who effectively replaced Rollins in the starting lineup, struggled mightily. He shot 1-for-8 from the field and posted a team-worst -15 in the box score.
Sims, stepping in for Kuzma, brought his usual energy but didn’t offer much offensively. Green, still shaking off the rust, managed just five points on five shots.
The Bucks needed a jolt. Instead, they got a flat start and a 111-105 loss.
Rollins, coming off the bench, logged 28 minutes. He scored 17 points on 15 shots-his highest totals in five games.
So in terms of volume, the move may have unlocked something. But the Bucks didn’t just need volume.
They needed synergy. They needed their two best guards on the floor together, especially with a key scorer like Kuzma unavailable.
Porter played 40 minutes and filled the stat sheet: 22 points, 13 assists, and seven turnovers. That last number continues to be a concern. Porter’s electric playmaking comes with a cost, and until he tightens up the ball security, the Bucks are going to have to live with some turbulence.
But what they can’t afford is to sideline one of their most dynamic players-especially not in favor of someone who’s been as inconsistent as Trent. Rollins may not be the same player he was before Porter’s return, but he’s still a vital piece of this roster. When he and Porter share the floor, the offense has more rhythm, more options, more life.
The closing lineup-Porter, Rollins, Turner, Green, and Bobby Portis-looked far more cohesive. That group arguably should’ve started the game. Instead, Rollins was iced early, and the Bucks paid the price.
To be clear, there’s a time and place for staggering stars. The idea of splitting up Porter and Rollins to give each a chance to run the show independently isn’t inherently flawed.
But context matters. And right now, with Giannis Antetokounmpo still out and the team already thin on shot creators, the Bucks can’t afford to bench one of their few offensive engines.
When Giannis returns, maybe the calculus changes. Maybe then, there’s enough firepower to justify bringing one of the guards off the bench. But for now, with the roster stretched and the margin for error razor-thin, the Bucks need to lean on what’s working-and that means keeping Porter and Rollins on the floor together as much as possible.
Doc Rivers has always been willing to tinker with rotations, but this experiment doesn’t look like the answer. The Bucks are short on stars right now. They can’t afford to sideline the ones they have.