Bucks coach Jason Kidd said Tuesday that the team intends to keep Antetokounmpo in a primary ball handling role long-term, CF Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Bucks coach Jason Kidd said Tuesday that the team intends to keep Antetokounmpo in a primary ball handling role long term, Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Analysis:

After the All-Star break, the Bucks began using Antetokounmpo as their de facto point guard following a season-ending hip injury to the inconsistent Michael Carter-Williams. Antetokounmpo's production quickly skyrocketed, and he's posted averages of 18.5 points, 7.3 assists, and 8.8 rebounds in 20 games since the break; prior to All-Star Weekend, Antetokounmpo was averaging 15.9 points, 2.8 assists, and 7.1 rebounds in 52 games. The massive jump in assists is, of course, the most stark difference, and Antetokounmpo is averaging a triple-double every five games since the break. The problem, though, is the Bucks haven't shown much improvement as a team since shifting Antetokounmpo on the ball, and it enters Wednesday's game against the Suns riding a five-game losing streak. Still, declaring Antetokounmpo the team's point guard going forward offers a sense of direction as the Bucks head into the offseason with a lottery pick and money to spend in free agency.