Can Joe Ingles Actually Help The Bucks?

Can Joe Ingles Actually Help The Bucks?

Joe Ingles is set to make his Bucks debut in the near future. I’m just not sure if they actually need him. Milwaukee is 19-7 this year and it’s fair to question if a 35-year-old sharpshooting statue has a place on this roster. The Bucks did use their mid-level exception on Ingles, but did they really get their money’s worth?

Mike Budenholzer told Eric Nehm of The Athletic on Sunday (Twitter link) that Ingles was getting close.

“I think it’s fair to say he’s getting close. I mean, if you’re playing with our G League group and you’re playing five on five and live action — but again, part of the questions towards the end of (Khris Middleton‘s rehab) is, you’ve got to get to a conditioning level to be ready to play in an NBA game,” Budenholzer said. “You’ve got to get kind of, I would say, a significant number of reps of just playing and doing things and building up just everything it takes to go into playing an NBA game. So, hopefully, somewhere there is an answer for you.”

Speaking of Middleton, he just sprained his ankle but the early indications are that it’s just minor. Outside of being an injury replacement, are we sure Ingles really helps this team?

A year ago with Utah, Ingles posted a career-worst .404 shooting percentage from the field. The 3-point percentage dipped to under 35%. Ingles’ mobility is also shot and has to be considered a liability on the defensive end. Especially coming off the ACL injury.

Maybe Ingles can help. Wes Matthews is still in the league so I guess anything is possible. I just wonder if those minutes would be better served staying with the young guys MarJon Beauchamp and Jordan Nwora in hopes of getting them ready for playoff time.