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With Ryan Rollins demoted to the bench and Brayden Burries promoted, the Milwaukee Bucks’ opening five suddenly lacks its leading assist-makers. That shift creates an opening for Jaime Jaquez Jr. to handle primary playmaking duties — a role that could matter both for the team’s offense and for Jaquez’s upcoming contract negotiations.
Jaquez has prior experience running a bench unit
Last season, Jaquez emerged as one of the NBA’s most effective reserve facilitators while finishing as the runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year. He totaled 348 assists, ranking second across the league, largely because Miami allowed him to orchestrate the second unit.
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Bucks bench Ryan Rollins, giving Jaime Jaquez Jr. a chance for more playing time
His playmaking was less emphasized early this year with the Bucks. Now that Rollins and Kasparas Jakucionis are in the second unit, the starting lineup needs someone to marshal the offense. That makes Jaquez a natural candidate to revive his passing role.
How his presence would shift responsibilities
Brayden Burries and Tyler Herro can both bring the ball up, but neither functions as a traditional point guard. Increasing Jaquez’s ball-handling duties would relieve pressure on those wings and let them focus on scoring and spacing.
More touches for Jaquez could mean more opportunities to set teammates up, especially on quick reads and early offense. If he resumes carrying playmaking for the starters, the team’s flow should improve.
Contract implications if Jaquez expands his game
Jaquez enters a contract year next summer, and his scoring has already climbed this season. Adding consistent assist numbers to that scoring profile would make his impending free-agent market more competitive.
That upside depends partly on teammates converting shots. The Bucks have struggled with perimeter efficiency on catch-and-shoot attempts so far. According to available figures, only two players are above 38 percent on those attempts: Jaquez, at 50 percent, and Gary Trent Jr., who is 1-for-1.
What to watch next
If Milwaukee’s role adjustments stick, Jaquez will be a key barometer of the starting lineup’s chemistry. His ability to orchestrate the offense and get teammates open on catch-and-shoot looks will determine both immediate offensive improvement and his long-term market value.
