Bucks Notes: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pat Connaughton, Malik Beasley

There’s a chance that star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will run the point at times under new coach Adrian Griffin, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

“With no true backup point guard for Jrue Holiday on the roster, I’d imagine there will be plenty of times when Antetokounmpo brings the ball up the floor to get the Bucks into their offense, or serves as the primary ballhandler for a possession even if he starts it on the wing,” Nehm wrote. “While doing that though, he will likely be defending a player on the wing, or maybe even a forward.”

• The Knicks are among the teams that will be monitoring Antetokounmpo in light of his recent comments about wanting to play for a winner, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv.
• Then again, everyone will be keeping an eye on any developments involving Antetokounmpo, per John Hollinger of The Athletic. “It would be organizational malpractice not to,” he wrote.
• Shooting guard Pat Connaughton will be an “interesting player to watch this season,” Nehm wrote. “… Adrian Griffin will want different things as a head coach. How long will it take Connaughton to pick up on those small things and find a way to earn Griffin’s trust in the same way?”
• The Bucks are said to be quietly excited about the addition of shooting guard Malik Beasley, expecting that he will add underrated perimeter shooting in reserve. Beasley signed a one-year deal with Milwaukee in July.