Milwaukee Bucks: 3 things to watch at 2018 NBA Summer League

2. Can a roster player emerge from the roster?

The Milwaukee Bucks will not only be taking their recent draft picks to Las Vegas. The rest of the roster will be a collection of players vying for a spot in the NBA, whether on a 15-man roster or one a two-way contract. The Bucks will get the closest look at their players of any other team, an advantage if they uncover a hidden gem.

Outside of the Bucks’ three drafted players, 11 other players will suit up with “Bucks” across their chest. Perhaps the two most recognizable to Wisconsin basketball fans are James Blackmon Jr. and JeQuan Lewis, both of whom played significant minutes for the Wisconsin Herd last season.

Lewis is of particular interest, as the former VCU point guard could replace Brandon Jennings on the active roster if the Bucks decide to cut ties with Jennings. Given the injury history of all of the team’s bench guards, having a player like Lewis on hand as a two-way contract could be valuable as well. If he has a strong showing, the Bucks could look to initiate stronger ties.

Another player well known to college basketball fans is Perry Ellis, a former star at the University of Kansas. Ellis has spent time with the Greensboro Swarm and the Wisconsin Herd, and has the outline of a stretch big. An NBA team could finally roll the dice on him based on his performance in Las Vegas.

Finally, Christian Wood has bounced around both the league and the G League trying to find a home. His elite tools suggest he could become a vertical threat at center, filling a role similar to JaVale McGee. But he has yet to put everything together; a starting role in Vegas could turn some heads.

In the end, the team is unlikely to find a diamond in the rough among their roster, but it could find a player useful down the line. The Bucks will be hoping someone steps up and stands out in the desert.