With minimal cap space and their star player potentially set to become one of the most sought-after free agents in NBA history in 2021, the long-term upside of the Milwaukee Bucks rests partially on the internal development of their young prospects.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo's supporting cast has played a huge role in the Bucks' league-best 41-7 record, a lot of this roster is on the wrong side of age 30, including Eric Bledsoe (30), George Hill (33), Brook Lopez (31), Wesley Matthews (33) and Ersan Ilyasova (32).
With that in mind, after getting a chance to scout this team at the Milwaukee-Charlotte game in Paris, let's take a look at the Bucks' under-26 players and whether or not it makes sense for general manager John Horst to try to flip them for upgrades next to Giannis heading into the 2020 NBA trade deadline.
Donte DiVincenzo: Key spark plug
At this point last year, Donte DiVincenzo was looking like a reach for the Bucks at No. 17 overall in the draft. Did they fall victim to the recency bias that comes with an NCAA tournament breakout and strong combine showing? Would players such as Kevin Huerter (No. 19), Josh Okogie (No. 20) or Landry Shamet (No. 26) have made more sense around Giannis? DiVincenzo battled heel issues over the course of his rookie campaign. And when he did see the floor, he didn't exactly inspire long-term optimism, shooting 26.6% from 3 in 31 NBA and G League games and finishing the year with a 9.8 PER.
Fast-forward to present day and DiVincenzo -- just 23 years old -- is emerging as one of the most valuable bench pieces in the NBA. Milwaukee execs told ESPN that DiVincenzo simply wasn't healthy last season, and when he was, he was often one of the best players on the floor in open-gym settings with his energy, defense and microwave scoring.
Watching DiVincenzo live against the Hornets, it was hard not to be constantly blown away by his motor. Whether it was chase-down steals to start the break or verticality blocks in transition, DiVincenzo is Milwaukee's spark plug -- a high-octane, defensive playmaker who flies around the court, moves the rock and impacts winning without necessarily putting up gaudy stats. Despite DiVincenzo's averaging a modest 8.8 points in 22.5 minutes on 55.5% true shooting, he ranks ranks seventh in the NBA in ESPN's real plus minus, which speaks to his positive impact.
He'll crash the glass, keep the ball humming in the half-court, and even play out of the dunker spot when necessary. While he's a gambler on defense, streaky shooter and occasionally plays too fast, DiVincenzo's toughness is an integral part of what makes the Bucks a title contender. He ranks fifth in the NBA in steal percentage, he boasts a solid 1.9 assist-to-turnover ratio and he has upped his 3-point shooting to 33.6%. He's Milwaukee's versatile energizer, seemingly always fully charged.
"Just anything they need me to do, honestly," DiVincenzo said of his role. "Coach puts me in there and I feel like he trusts me and kind of understands that I'll bring a spark.
"Whether I'm making shots or missing shots, you always know what you're going to get out of me defensively and you know what you're getting to get out of me in terms of just trying to make the right play offensively."
DiVincenzo's identity has long been as a defender and positional rebounder first, scorer second, which is why he's been able to play such a key role while still ironing out his offensive game. The fact that DiVincenzo makes his money doing the little things will certainly buy him time to become a more consistent shooter and refined playmaker. He can get hot in a hurry, and the fact that he's at least capable of making shots off the dribble and the catch with range gives him considerable upside. He's a nice partner next to Giannis, as Antetokounmpo's defensive versatility and playmaking prowess allows DiVincenzo to shift off ball while defending 1s and 2s on the other end.
"[Giannis] wants to play with guys who get him easy buckets, get him in the right position to make plays and then finish plays," DiVincenzo said. "If we can take the pressure off of him defensively and take the pressure off of him offensively, it just makes his job easier."
While DiVincenzo's rookie year didn't yield big returns, it looks like the Bucks found a steal at No. 17 after all. He is the type of role player to shift a series on Milwaukee's quest to the NBA Finals, this year and beyond.
Love the energy Donte DiVincenzo plays with. All over the place on both ends of the floor. Turning into a valuable role player. pic.twitter.com/HrLjH0bFjZ
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) January 24, 2020
Milwaukee's other prospects
DiVincenzo is evolving into one of the league's most valuable reserves, but the rest of Milwaukee's youngsters haven't been able to instill quite as much optimism.
The No. 17 pick in 2017 ahead of players such as John Collins, Jarrett Allen, OG Anunoby, Kyle Kuzma, and Derrick White, Wilson has been unable to carve out a consistent role in Milwaukee halfway through his third NBA season.
He emerged as a potential first-rounder his third year at Michigan. He flashed the ability to stretch the floor, attack a closeout, switch onto perimeter players and protect the rim in a pinch. In theory, he fit the modern NBA.
But Wilson's eruption in the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments has proven to be a bit of a mirage. On a Milwaukee team that prides itself on defense, Wilson's lack of toughness and physicality (along with lingering hamstring issues) have led to his inability to crack the rotation with much consistency. Given how one-dimensional he can look offensively as a spot-up shooter, the fact that Wilson is hitting just 24.4% from 3 through 26 games hasn't helped his cause, and he doesn't quite have the natural feel for the game to play off others.
With his status as a late-bloomer who took time to get comfortable at Michigan, you don't want to completely write off his potential, but Wilson doesn't appear poised to be a difference-maker for the Bucks. His shooting potential could give him some value next to Giannis in the future, but he'll have to at least become adequate defensively and on the glass first.
After tearing up the G League -- averaging 21.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 blocks while shooting 43.3% from 3 -- Bender cracked the rotation for the Bucks for a bit, sparing Brook Lopez minutes as backup 5 with Robin Lopez still out.
Almost two years younger than Wilson and with a cheaper contract that is guaranteed through next season, Bender was a worthwhile offseason add who could develop into a rotation piece. He's bound to underwhelm some as a defender, rebounder and finisher in traffic, but the fact that -- at age 22 -- he can make plays from the center spot and make an open 3 on occasion gives him some long-term upside. He can play out of dribble-handoffs, facilitate out of splits or short rolls and fits the way the Bucks want to play on the offensive end.
He'll never be what the Phoenix Suns wanted him to be as a top-five pick, and he might not be able to survive defensively in a rugged playoff series, but I wouldn't be surprised if Bender evolves into a somewhat reliable contributor as he fights for an NBA role next season.
One of my favorite second-round steals of the 2017 draft, Brown has been in and out of the rotation this season, missing some time due to shoulder issues. When healthy, Brown is a good fit next to Giannis, as he brings spot shooting, defensive toughness and a sound feel for the game without needing the ball in his hands.
When asked to operate more as a secondary ball-handler and shot-creator, Brown looks a bit heavy-footed and limited. But if he can stick to spot shooting, defending his position and attacking the defensive glass, the soon-to-be 25-year-old has the ingredients of a winning rotation piece. He'll surely need to become a more consistent catch-and-shoot threat (career 35.1% from the NBA line), but if he gets healthy and works his way back into the rotation, Brown could help the Bucks on a postseason run. If not, he's certainly someone smart teams will want to track closely as he enters free agency this offseason.
DiVincenzo is Milwaukee's crown jewel as far as the future goes, with Brown and Bender acting as possible singles. With Wilson looking the part of a first-round disappointment thus far, it wouldn't hurt to add one more exciting, young piece who can contribute some now while offering potential for the future. A rangy 3-and-D combo forward behind Khris Middleton would make some sense, whether that comes during the trade deadline or in the draft. The Bucks could package the lottery-protected first-rounder they own via Indiana with a couple of their fringe prospects to look for one more real contributor.