The Milwaukee Bucks aren’t having their best campaign this season, yet something good is brewing in the Midwest. Many fans were led to believe that Kyle Kuzma or Kevin Porter Jr. were the Bucks’ second-best player behind Giannis Antetokounmpo, but none seemed to have expected that it would be a guy the Bucks took a chance on two years ago—Ryan Rollins.
Ryan Rollins’ Roller Coaster Career
Rollins was selected 44th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2022 NBA draft, but his rights were immediately traded to the Golden State Warriors on draft night. However, just a year later, in June 2023, the young guard became part of the blockbuster trade that sent Jordan Poole to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Chris Paul. However, Rollins became the center of attention for all the bad reasons.
Back in January 2024, Rollins was arrested by the Virginia Police Department after being accused of shoplifting at a local Target store in Potomac Yards, Alexandria. The then 21-year-old pro basketball player would be charged with seven counts of petit larceny after stealing more or less $1,000 worth of groceries and various other products. To add insult to injury, the Wizards would waive Ryan Rollins, and before the 2023-2024 season even ended, he would find himself unexpectedly jobless.
Fortunately, the Milwaukee Bucks took a chance on him and signed Rollins on a two-way deal. Although he had a slow start in their 2024-2025 campaign, Rollins somehow impressed the front office and was able to land a guaranteed contract. It turns out, it was money well spent after Rollins took a leap nobody anticipated. This season, he’s playing for more minutes and is already the team’s second-highest scorer, just behind Giannis.
Rollins Is Already in the Most Improved Player of the Year Discussion
Last season, Rollins only averaged 6.2 points, 1.9 assists, and 1,9 rebounds per game. This year, he has already bumped those numbers higher than the team expected. He’s currently the starting point guard for the Bucks and is already averaging 17.9 points, 5.9 dimes, 4.1 boards a night while raking in 1.7 steals per game as well. Just by looking at it, it seems that Rollins is already locked in for the 2026 MIP award. In addition, he’s still 23 years old, and one might wonder just how high his ceiling is.
Despite being recognized as the team’s second-best player right now, Rollins still must show consistency. The young point guard is showing flashes of excellence, but for a team that is somehow mediocre in the East, he needs to bring more to the table. Ultimately, he may end up being an All-Star in the future or perhaps an All-Defensive team member, considering how he is a menace on the defensive end. Either way, Rollins is definitely a steal for Milwaukee.
The Eastern Conference is stacked with some of the best guards in the league right now (e.g., Jalen Brunson, Trae Young, Tyrese Maxey, Cade Cunningham, Tyler Herro, Donovan Mitchell), all of whom are balling out this season. An All-Star selection may not yet be on the horizon for Ryan Rollins, but if he continues at this rate, it’s really not impossible.
