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Bucks guard Delon Wright tries to adjust after being benched

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The Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2024-25 season with high expectations – at least internally – due in part to the offseason acquisitions of Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince and Delon Wright. On paper, the trio filled some needs and filled some holes on the roster – namely lengthy, athletic perimeter defense and the ability to make three-point shots.

As a starter, Trent's role should be the biggest of the trio. Prince was expected to be the switchable, taller wing to the forwards, while Wright was expected to wreak havoc in the passing lanes to provide a sharper leading edge to the Bucks' attacking defense.

But it hasn't panned out that way, with the 32-year-old only sitting on the bench for a few games this season.

“I mean, it wasn’t really a conversation — they just did it,” Wright told the Journal Sentinel. “It's their decision. I really can't be too angry about it. It's frustrating, but I'm trying to stay ready. It's a long season.

“This is not the first time this has happened to me. Especially with a new coaching staff, they don’t really know what I do best. You have an idea, but once I get into the rhythm, once I'm really used to the team, I can be used better.

“Right now I'm like a three-and-D guy, just playing defense and moving the ball. Once I get acclimated and they get comfortable with me, it'll be different for me. But I just have to stay. “Ready, build my confidence back up and wherever (the minutes) are, be more confident, be more aggressive.”

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Delon Wright was a key free agent signing for the Bucks

At 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds, Wright was coming off a 2023-24 season in which he played 33 games for Washington (he missed games due to a sprained left medial knee ligament) before being bought out became. He then signed with Miami, played 14 games and shot 36.8% from behind the three-point line this season – on par with his performance from 2019 in Dallas.

Wright made 60% of his threes and played nearly 27 minutes per game for the Heat in their first-round playoff series against Boston.

As a true “combination” guard, the Bucks believed Wright could support point guards Damian Lillard and Trent while providing disruptive defense. He is among the league's best in deflections per game (an average of about 3.8 per 36 minutes since 2019) for guards. And at 32, the team felt he was still in his prime.

After playing just under 12 minutes per game in three preseason contests, Wright strangely began playing just 13 minutes per game in his first three regular season contests. He played just under 10 against Boston on October 28th.

Before the game in Memphis on Oct. 31, Rivers noted that some of the team's players were on minute restrictions early in the season. But when asked if Wright would consistently play 13 per game, Rivers said plainly: “He has to play better, and he will.”

“I think part of Delon's thing was because of his minor injuries, conditioning was still a factor for him. And I think that affects your playing. I think he will continue to improve.”

Wright played 20-42 in the loss to Memphis on Oct. 31, and a few days later he said, “I think I can play. Doc, just the rotations, he probably wanted to get Dame more minutes. I probably didn’t play as well as I should have, so I don’t think it was a limitation, but more the flow of the game.”

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Ryan Rollins took turns overtaking Wright

Wright played 17 minutes against Cleveland on November 2, but in a rematch with the Cavaliers two days later, Wright played just four minutes before Rivers brought in 22-year-old Ryan Rollins – who is in his second season on a two-way contract the Bucks and the Wisconsin Herd of the G League – to cheer on the Bucks in the third quarter.

“It definitely helped build trust,” Rollins told the Journal Sentinel. “They told me about five games in advance just to stay ready, your number might be called, so I was just ready. I didn't know when it would happen. They also threw me into the fire a bit back then. So it was just a matter of me going out there, taking advantage of the opportunity and just making a difference, whatever it was.”

Since then, Rollins has played 28 minutes in the last three games, while Wright has not played due to the coach's decision.

“It’s an opportunity – it’s everything I’ve really been looking for,” Rollins said. “I can't ask for too much more. Put a little on your plate, that's what you have to take, and get more as you continue to grow and continue to prove them right. Continue to make the right plays and make an impact when you’re on the field.”

After the loss in New York on November 8, Rivers said Rollins had overtaken Wright.

“Yes, at the moment he has that,” said the coach. “I just think he's more athletic.” I don't think Delon played great. I do believe that Delon will come back to us. All of these guys have to be ready when their time comes. Then when someone else (plays), they have to be ready to get those minutes back and I think our guys will be able to do that.”

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Wright focused on finding a role and being a good teammate

The Bucks practiced on Monday, but they have played five games in seven days. They have two days off before a Nov. 16 matinee in Charlotte that begins another run of five games in seven days.

Wright doesn't seem to have much time to do everything right, so he knows he has to find other ways to make a new impression.

“Absolutely,” he said. “Sometimes you feel like, oh yeah, we're not practicing today, but a guy like me who doesn't play 30 minutes could use a good practice, a good scrimmage to keep my rhythm going. When you start not shooting, you realize that I haven't been practicing and working as much as I should. So you just have to find more time to do extra work. Even if we have an off day, come in, put in the effort, work up a sweat so I can stay in rhythm.”

Until that happens, though, Wright knows he'll have to maintain a certain level of professionalism as the Bucks try to find a way to emerge from one of the worst starts in recent franchise history.

“I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer. “I don’t want my energy to impact other people,” Wright said. “So I just have to try to stay as committed as possible, even if it’s a shame not playing.”

“I have to encourage Ryan because he would do the same thing if he wasn't playing and cheer me on. I have to make sure I'm a good teammate and try to just keep working. My time will come again. You. “You never know what can happen in a season.”

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