Milwaukee Bucks: 5 musts for D.J. Wilson in crucial season

3. Average at least five rebounds per game

As a second-year player in 2019, D.J. Wilson averaged 4.6 rebounds per game. For a reserve on limited minutes, this was a respectable contribution to the team’s rebounding efforts and it appeared Wilson would be reliable on the glass for years to come. However, last season Wilson was much less consistent hitting the boards, only grabbing 2.5 rebounds per contest.

It’s often said that the last step of a successful defensive stance is securing the rebound. Grabbing defensive boards prevents the other team from having second chance opportunities which, if not kept under control, can be debilitating to the opposition. While the decrease in playing time certainly contributed to Wilson’s lower rebounding numbers last season, an increased effort on the glass this year will force Budenholzer to keep him in the game.

The bulk of Milwaukee’s points will come from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez. The rest of the team is going to have to capitalize on opportunities and do their best to contribute in other ways.

If Wilson averages five rebounds per contest as a member of the second unit, his value as a role player will increase exponentially. If a good amount of those rebounds come on the offensive side of the ball, providing the Bucks with second-chance opportunities, it might just be enough to convince the front office he’s worth bringing back for another year.