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We are just two weeks into this young NBA season. Coaches are still in an evaluation phase to determine what works and what doesn’t. Here are four lineups and rotations that need some changes:
The Bucks need a shakeup
Bobby Portis has long been one of the most infuriating defenders in the NBA. He often moves out of position, fails to fulfill box-out duties, and fails to provide consistent rim protection. On offense, his ball-stopping tendencies and questionable decision-making overshadow his occasional scoring bursts. Then there’s Pat Connaughton, who is too fast a shooter to justify giving him playing time when he’s a slow defender at this stage of his career.
It’s time for Doc Rivers to change things. The Bucks can’t afford to stay static when they’re tied for the worst record in the NBA at 1-6. Decreasing Portis and Connaughton’s minutes could be a step toward unlocking a more dynamic rotation. The solution? Give AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr a real chance.
Green over Connaughton is an easy pick. Green is a sharpshooter who has made 42.5% of his three-pointers in his career, and while he is not a defensive stopper by any means, he is faster and more energetic than Connaughton. With the limited opportunities he has received this season, we have already seen his shooting ability:
The pin in the two clips above? Jackson, who at 6-foot-6 is a connective playmaker with great passing feel and a real willingness to do the dirty work. He’ll set screens, crash the boards, and his best attribute is his reliable defense at the point of attack. His ability to defend multiple positions and make smart reads could be exactly what Milwaukee’s stagnant lineup needs.
I wouldn’t expect Jackson to completely replace Portis. After all, Portis is 6-10 and has made 40% of his three-pointers during his tenure with the Bucks. Provide something of value. But that’s why it would make sense for the Bucks to use him as a trade piece; They don’t have picks until 2031, and their young players haven’t shown enough to have league-wide value. Who is the most marketable veteran? It’s Portis. Many teams could use a big player who can shoot. So the Bucks should try to trade him for another wing with the goal of creating more minutes for Giannis Antetokounmpo to play center.
Giannis has received only limited minutes playing at the 5 over the years, in part because of how big Milwaukee’s lineups are. But now is the time. Playing Giannis at the 5 could unlock a new dimension for the Bucks. With Brook Lopez on the court, they can stick to their defense, controlling the paint and contesting shots at the rim. But when Giannis is the only big man, surrounded by wings and shooters, Milwaukee could adopt a more versatile defense with more changes. This flexibility would allow the Bucks to adapt more effectively to different opponents and game situations.
The Bucks are at a crossroads. It’s time for creativity and bold decisions to save your season.
Portland should experiment with two bigs
Donovan Clingan is averaging 4.8 blocks per 36 minutes, more than any other player who has logged at least 30 minutes this season, even more than Victor Wembanyama. But in reality, Clingan plays only 13.2 minutes per game because Deandre Ayton is the veteran starter. With the return of Robert Williams to the Trail Blazers, the frontcourt rotation is about to get even tighter.
Chauncey Billups has to explore the possibility of playing two bigs together. Clingan’s talent is undeniable and, as the seventh pick in the draft, he is a cornerstone for Portland’s future. Limiting his minutes not only stifles his development but also undermines the team’s potential. Ayton has started shooting threes and Clingan isn’t afraid to come out either. Why not see what this offense looks like when both are on the court? Why not test Ayton’s versatility as a roaming defender with Clingan anchoring the rim?
Portland is in a development phase. This season should be about discoveries, not limiting opportunities. Giving Clingan such a small role goes against that mission.
The Nuggets should play against kids
With Aaron Gordon sidelined for several weeks due to a calf injury, the Nuggets don’t have many options but to give more minutes to their young players. But even when the squad is at capacity, Michael Malone needs to make a conscious decision to develop his bench.
Just look at Christian Braun. Once Bones Hyland was traded in 2023, Braun’s increased minutes paid off big during Denver’s championship run. And so far this season, he’s surprisingly been Denver’s second-best player. However, despite a proof of concept, Malone has often been hesitant to let his other youngsters play through his growing pains since then.
Peyton Watson should take on a starting role. His length, defensive tenacity and flashes of offensive potential make him a perfect candidate to replace Gordon. So far this season he has struggled with limited minutes on the bench, but perhaps he is the type of player who excels with more regular minutes.
If Watson moves into the starting lineup, second-year forward Hunter Tyson deserves a chance off the bench. With his shooting and ability to cut to the basket, Tyson could fit perfectly alongside the creative brilliance of Nikola Jokić if he earns time playing alongside the three-time MVP.
And on top of that, the Nuggets are also desperate for a higher volume of shots. They rank 29th in 3-point attempts. Tyson could help, as could Julian Strawther. Strawther is making 47.6% of his three-pointers; In any case, he could be the young man who follows Braun’s career. Sharing the court with Jokić is also important; These young men can’t just be part of Russell Westbrook’s experience off the bench. Jokić can improve anyone; Why not change the rotation to put some starters next to Russ and some of the kids with Jokić?
The Nuggets know what they are getting from their veterans, including Jokić, who is still playing at an MVP level. But to make another deep playoff run, Malone must follow the same game plan as last time and start giving these young players meaningful opportunities now, laying the foundation for future success.
Houston must give its lottery rookie a chance
Fred VanVleet leads the Rockets in minutes with 37.6, but his performance has been disappointing. He is averaging only 13.3 points and 13.1 shots per game, with a dismal 41.2% from 2 and 27.6% from 3. FVV will have better nights ahead. But he shouldn’t play so often when the Rockets just invested the third pick in Reed Sheppard, who plays the same position. Sheppard plays just 9.3 minutes per game.
It’s time to redistribute playing time. By reducing VanVleet’s minutes to a still respectable 30 per game, Sheppard was able to see between 16 and 20 minutes on the court. This is a reasonable balance, especially considering Sheppard’s shooting, passing instincts and defensive play could immediately benefit the Rockets.
Investing now in Sheppard’s development is essential for both the present and the future of the team. It also provides management with clarity on VanVleet’s role, especially with a $44.9 million team option looming next season. Is VanVleet someone you see as part of the long-term picture? That could be the case if Sheppard isn’t ready to take the reins. Or is it time to consider moving VanVleet sooner rather than later? Sheppard needs the opportunity to prove himself and help make that decision. Anything less would be shortsighted.
