Boris Diaw / Head Coach / 47 / 201-114 record
There were rumours that Diaw may not come back after the way the season ended. Being a free agent, the chance was really there. However, at the end cool heads prevailed and both team and coach reached an agreement. The Bucks have won 63.8 % of the regular season games they have played under his direction and three out of six playoff series.
Patty Mills / First Assistant / 42
Mills joins the Bucks coaching staff as the first assistant for Diaw. His job will consists in trying to have a more dynamic offense on the court, as that was the team's weak point last year.
Dean Garrett / Second Assistant / 60
Garrett is the second assistant on the coaching staff and his role consists of working with the team's big men.
Chuck Person / Third Assistant / 63
A former thre-point specialist, Person works on trying to improve the perimeter players shooting mechanics.
#3 Aaron Holiday / PG / 29 / 6'1" / 175 lbs
According to the media, Ja Morant was a much better player than Holiday. However, after that trade, reality is that the Bucks jumped to another level. He is one of the best defensive point guards in the league and is on a contract year. The change in rules has affected his game, but his value is there. A great team player, he is one of the key pieces for coach Diaw.
#6 Troy Brown / SG / 25 / 6'7" / 195 lbs
Brown was always a great defender, but last season he took also a leading role in offense. Alongside Ingram both form a great two-way duo, which is something rare to find: both can lead an offense and lock down their opponents on defense. His fantastic ball handling abilities allow him to run the point, and his size results in a very tough matchup for most CSL point guards.
#7 Thon Maker / PF / 29 / 7'1" / 241 lbs
About to start his 11th season as a pro, always with the Bucks, Maker is still 29 years old. Behind Brown and Ingram he was the third scorer on the team, but had some key performances in the postseason. Versatile and agile, Maker is also a two-way player who can, and often does, make an impact on both ends. Whether he starts or not, he will see his good share of minutes.
#8 Jarred Vanderbilt / SF / 25 / 6'9" / 215 lbs
One of the best mid-range shooters in the league, Vanderbilt is another player who has been slowly growing in Milwaukee since he was drafted. Still 25, Vanderbilt will start his seventh season in the CSL, and he is rumoured to be a starter in coach Diaw new gameplan. While his defense is below most of his teammates, he can still hold his own on that end of the court.
#9 Kevin Huerter / SF / 25 / 6'7" / 190 lbs
One of the two new players on the team this season, Huerter brings elite three-point shooting to the team. He was signed for three-years with the team's mid-level exception this summer, with the last year being non-guaranteed (team option). Besides shooting Huerter checks the three main categories the Front Office looks for: consistency, high basketball IQ and durability. He is likely to start the season as a starter, although we may see changes there depending on the opponent.
#10 Daniel Gafford / PF / 25 / 6'11" / 228 lbs
It was a relief for the Front Office went Gafford signed a long-term contract with the team this offseason. He is one of the best defenders in the league and his offensive game saw some improvement last season. He will never be a main scoring option, but at least he is more efficient now. Despite being one of the core players, he may be coming off the bench, yet playing a lot. After training camp he is now a lighter player, which will increase his versatility to play all three frontcourt positions.
#12 Isaiah Livers / SF / 23 / 6'7" / 232 lbs
The only rookie on the roster, Livers is the other new Buck alongside Huerter. An elite scorer at the college level, scouting report suggested he was going to be selected in the lottery, yet he was available late in the first round. Livers will provide the Bucks with another scoring option, and an efficient one. He has yet to make the transition to the pro game and the Bucks are well known to take their time in developing his young players. Therefore, it is likely to see him more on the bench than on the court during his rookie season. There were concerns about his defense, but the Bucks have plenty of that already.
#14 Brandon Ingram / SF / 28 / 6'9" / 190 lbs
Ingram has never been considered by journalists as part of the league's elite, yet he is not only one of the best two-way players, but a detailed look at advanced stats reveals he could have perfectly won many DPOY awards. It is the very slow pace that the Bucks play the reason he does not fill the stats sheet as others do. Ingram is in a contract year, but Bucks fans should know that the Front Office is going to offer him a max deal from day one.
#15 Stanton Kidd / SF / 28 / 6'8" / 225 lbs
A 28-year-old sophomore, Kidd barely played during his rookie season. He has been working hard on his outside shot, as coach Diaw saw potential as a stretch four. However, in a team so deep as the Bucks, Kidd may find it hard to play regular minutes. He can do a bit of everything, so during an 82-game season chances may present to play.
#20 Rayshaun Hammonds / PF / 25 / 6'8" / 228 lbs
Hammonds is a hard worker. He fights every ball and does not take shots away from more talented players. He can dominate the boards, specially on defense, and plays solid defense. He signed a two-year deal for the low level exception to return to Milwaukee, with the second year being a team option. His work last season against the Nets in the first round of the playoffs went unnoticed for most, but not for the coaching staff nor the Front Office.
#23 Mitchell Robinson / C / 25 / 7'0" / 229 lbs
Despite starting his eighth season in the CSL, Robinson is still 25. Defense, specially blocking shots, is his selling card. However, he has been spending a lot of time lately to improve his offensive game. He is quick inside so that could be a very valuable asset in certain matchups. Signed to a very friendly contract, there will sure be many games where Robinson can make an impact.
#25 Dikembe Dixson / SG / 28 / 6'6" / 190 lbs
To put it simply, Dixson is one of the CSL most underrated defenders. In key games he is the player who defends the more talented (in offense) opponent, unless there is a large difference in size. Coach Diaw trusts him completely to limit opponents offense. He is the main reason why the Bucks could trade Khris Middleton, which in turn allowed the team to keep Gafford this offseason.
#31 Vlatko Cancar / SG / 28 / 6'9" / 190 lbs
As time goes by Cancar makes his presence more relevant for the team. An excellent shooter and ball handler, his great basketball IQ allows him to play almost everywhere on the court. He was starting at the shooting guard spot last season, but this year he may be coming off the bench for better team balance. Still, Cancar will sure play significant minutes most games.
#34 Wendell Carter / PF / 26 / 6'10" / 230 lbs
Probably the best pure rebounder in the league, Carter may see a shift to the center spot. That should not represent any inconvenience, as he has been playing both power forward and center during his seven-year CSL career. His offensive game is still a work in progress, but his passing skills provide so many good-looking shots for his teammates.
#38 Jalen Hudson / SF / 25 / 6'6" / 192 lbs
Another defensive player, Hudson starts his third season in the CSL. Still fighting to find his role on the team, he has been spending time working on his outside shot. How much he improves there may be the difference between playing on a regular basis or just looking for a chance to play. He is on a contract year.
These are the 2029-30 Milwaukee Bucks, still chasing that elusive CSL championship.
