LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 07: Andre Jackson Jr. #44 of the Milwaukee Bucks watches a free throw ... [+]
The Summer League can be a tough stage to evaluate young players. The frenetic pace and unique style don’t always translate to NBA play, and the environment can be unpredictable. However, for the Milwaukee Bucks, gleaning whatever information they can is crucial.
The Bucks have five players on their Summer League roster who will be on their NBA roster this season—MarJon Beauchamp, Andre Jackson Jr., Chris Livingston, AJ Johnson, and Tyler Smith. Judging by the results, though, you wouldn’t know these guys are ticketed for the big leagues.
Milwaukee finds itself at the bottom of the standings, with a 96-89 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday and a humbling 112-81 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Sitting at the halfway point of their Summer League schedule, now is as good a time as any to review their studs and duds (spoiler alert: it’s more dud than stud).
Stud: Chris Livingston
Chris Livingston has quietly put together a couple of solid, all-around performances for the Bucks. Against the Bulls, he notched 11 points on 4-7 shooting, grabbed 8 rebounds, and blocked a shot. He followed that up with an even better outing against the Cavs, posting 17 points on 6-11 from the field, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Plus, he’s been a steady presence on defense, both on and off the ball.
Livingston’s role on the Bucks next season is still up in the air, but it’s encouraging to see his development from Year 1 to Year 2. He’s still a ways off from being a reliable NBA contributor, but he’s definitely on the right track. These Summer League performances are a positive sign that he’s moving in the right direction.
Dud: MarJon Beauchamp
MarJon Beauchamp is making a rare third appearance in the Summer League despite being a former first-round pick, which tells you a lot about his standing with the Bucks heading into the 2024-25 season.
In an interview with The Athletic’s Eric Nehm, Beauchamp made some eyebrow-raising statements about his skills and abilities with the ball in his hands. That’s not exactly what Milwaukee needs with Damian Lillard, Khris Middleton, and Giannis Antetokounmpo dominating the court.
This mindset has manifested on the court as well. Through two games, Beauchamp has taken 14 more shots than anyone else, hitting only 38.2 percent of them, and is tied for the team lead with eight turnovers (compared to just six assists). While it makes sense for him to have the ball in Summer League, the middling results from a player with more NBA experience than most of his competition are concerning.
Beauchamp's insistence on being a primary ball-handler doesn't align with the Bucks' needs and could be a red flag. Milwaukee needs him to excel in complementary roles, not as a primary playmaker. His current Summer League performance suggests there's still a lot of work to be done before he can effectively contribute to the Bucks.
Dud: Andre Jackson Jr.
The Summer League environment isn’t for everyone, and Andre Jackson Jr. appears to fall into that category. He had a rough go last year and is struggling once again this time around.
Through two games, Jackson Jr. has nearly as many turnovers (eight) and fouls (seven) as he does total points (11). He’s also only hit one of his seven three-point attempts. While Jackson Jr. has the opposite mindset of Beauchamp, it would be encouraging to see him put up better individual results against lesser competition.
Jackson Jr.'s struggles highlight the challenge of transitioning to the NBA, even in a setting designed for development. His defensive mindset and team-first approach are commendable, but he needs to show he can contribute offensively and take care of the ball. For a player looking to carve out a role on a team with championship aspirations, these Summer League performances are a critical opportunity to showcase growth and readiness. So far, Jackson Jr. has left much to be desired.
Dud: TyTy Washington Jr.
Milwaukee has a pressing need for a third point guard. Damian Lillard will obviously be the starter, but the only other player who falls into that category on the roster is Delon Wright, who is more of a combo guard. Even if it’s not a spot on the 15-man roster, a two-way contract with call-ups could be in play.
Unfortunately, TyTy Washington Jr. hasn’t proven he’s ready for that type of role. After an impressive 2023 Summer League, he’s gone in the opposite direction this time around. Through two games, he’s averaging just 7.5 points, 0.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 turnovers in 16.6 minutes per game.
Washington Jr.'s struggles are a significant setback for a team looking to solidify its backcourt depth. His performance has been underwhelming, especially considering the opportunity to secure a crucial role on a championship-contending team. With Lillard and Wright as the primary options, the Bucks need a reliable third point guard to step up. So far, Washington Jr. hasn’t shown he can be that player, making Milwaukee's search for additional backcourt help all the more urgent.
