Report points to Austin Rivers as a potential subtle pick-up for the Milwaukee Bucks

Austin Rivers is the defensive pest the Bucks need.

© Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

While the Milwaukee Bucks' offense has been as good as advertised, their defense is another story. It is a porous one that allows a whopping 119.2 points per game and ranks 20th in defensive rating. The team's explosive offense often bails them out of most games, but there is no doubt that their lackluster defense needs some help. Help that veteran guard Austin Rivers can provide.

Veteran looking for another shot

Rivers is an 11-year pro who has suited up for seven teams and was last seen in a Minnesota Timberwolves uniform last season. At only 30 years old, Austin feels he still has a lot of gas left in the tank. He and fellow veteran John Wall recently held a workout in Orlando with representatives from 15 NBA teams present. Wall and Rivers were looking to showcase their skills, hoping to get another shot in the league.

Austin could be a significant asset to Milwaukee, as his savvy veteran leadership and tough defense will go a long way in improving their porous defensive rating this season.

"The Bucks turbo-charged their offense with the offseason addition of Damian Lillard, but they may have torpedoed their defense in the process. After finishing fourth in efficiency on the game's less glamorous end last season, they've since slipped all the way to 20th," Buckley wrote.

Video footage obtained by @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport from the private workout of Austin Rivers and John Wall in Orlando this morning with half the league’s teams attending. pic.twitter.com/nj0EglmsNr

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 20, 2023

Point-of-attack defense

Point-of-attack defense is critical in the NBA as it makes or breaks a team's defensive make-up. It's the first line of defense and can stop penetration from an opposing offense before it starts. Buckley assessed that Lillard and Malik Beasley handling the perimeter defense places more pressure on Milwaukee's interior defenders, thereby creating seams that savvy opponents can often exploit.

"They need better point-of-attack options than Lillard and Malik Beasley, which could steer them toward the pesky Austin Rivers," Buckley said.

"He may not be a shutdown stopper, but he'd help cover some of the leaks that have plagued this perimeter group all season. He also offers a pinch more offensive ability than a defensive specialist, as he could add smatterings of shooting and shot-creation to Milwaukee's mix."

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