Tyler Herro’s offense gives the Milwaukee Bucks something they can use late in games, but his defense could be the thing that keeps him off the floor when the pressure spikes.
That’s the tension here: when the Bucks absolutely need a stop, they have enough defensive options to build a lineup that can hold up without Herro. Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. made for a feisty backcourt last season, and even though injuries kept them from sharing the floor often, both were active, disruptive, and capable of creating steals. Put those two together and Milwaukee might not just get a stop - the other team might not even get a clean shot off.
There’s also flexibility on the wings and front line. Kyle Kuzma is better suited to power forward, but he can slide to the three in these kinds of situations.
He’s not without flaws, yet he’s still a solid defender who can handle himself. Up front, Taylor Jenkins could go with a double-big look featuring Kel’el Ware and Myles Turner, giving opponents a much harder time trying to attack the rim.
That kind of defensive group creates a real problem for Herro. If the Bucks’ best player, at least on paper, isn’t part of the lineup that decides games, that raises obvious questions - especially with a big payday looming next summer. It would be tough to justify paying him significant money if he’s not trusted in the biggest defensive moments.
The one thing working in Herro’s favor is that this doesn’t have to stay that way.
No one is pretending he’s about to turn into a lockdown defender. But there is still room for him to become at least serviceable.
At 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds, he’s not some tiny guard getting overwhelmed by size alone. He has enough build to stand his ground if the effort is there.
If Herro takes that step, he could work his way into that closing defensive group, replacing Rollins or Porter depending on the matchup. In some cases, the Bucks might even choose him over Kuzma. It starts with effort, with Herro turning up the intensity and making life harder for the player in front of him.
Milwaukee would love to lean on his scoring in tight moments. But until the defense comes along, that late-game trust won’t come easily. What he does on that end could shape both his immediate role and his future with the Bucks.
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