The Milwaukee Bucks headed into the 2025 offseason with a lot of questions to answer. With Damian Lillard suffering an Achilles tear, they had to find a way to fill out the roster with quality players and keep a competitive roster in Milwaukee to avoid Giannis Antetokounmpo asking out. Somehow, they were able to strike gold.

The roster is different now, with Lillard and Brook Lopez both off the team, but the under-the-radar re-signing of Ryan Rollins has been exactly what this team needed. The former 44th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Rollins went from the Golden State Warriors to the Washington Wizards, to Milwaukee, where he hasn't had a major role. Now, he's a leading Most Improved candidate.

Doc Rivers Shines Light On Unexpected Star

NBA (@NBA) on X This Ryan Rollins lay for the lead? CLUTCH FOR MILWAUKEE DOWN THE STRETCH. @Bucks move to 7-4 to start the season 👏

Matching up against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, the Bucks orchestrated a fourth-quarter comeback to secure the 116-114 win, improving to 7-4 on the season. To no surprise, Giannis led the way in scoring with 30 points, followed by a 26-point game from Kyle Kuzma.

But it was yet another good game by Rollins, and head coach Doc Rivers acknowledged the work his young guard has been putting in.

ْ (@fnsnfndns) on X ryan rollins so far this season 19.7 PTS per 75 (+6.6 rTS%) 73.2 ATR% 52.9 SMR% 59.2 2P% 43.1 3P% (3.1 C&S att. & 2.0 PU att.) PNR BH — 1.17 (96th percentile) Spot Up — 1.48 (94th percentile) one of the best starting guards in the league rn

"Oh, he's been great. He's been great. Learns every day. You know, he's still young. Still young in minutes, too. Kid is tough, and he's coachable, and he's probably the hardest worker on our team. So, he's got a lot going for him," Rivers said.

Rollins finished Monday's contest with 13 points and eight assists, displaying an ability to get his teammates involved beyond just being a scorer. After scoring just nine points in the season opener, Rollins has recorded double-digit points in every contest since and seems to be the top player in the guard rotation for the Bucks.

Per Sources (@PerSources) on X Ryan Rollins is the most impressive young NBA player that I've seen in a long time. Would not be surprised if he made multiple all-star teams. Would not be surprised if the Milwaukee Bucks finally make it back to the NBA Finals. He's a great PG and a great compliment to

Despite being on a team with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rivers acknowledged that Rollins is the hardest worker on the team, and going from role player to rising star surely adds up then. Just on a three-year, $12 million deal, the Bucks have the 23-year-old on a steal of a contract, but he'll likely decline that player option in 2027 to renegotiate for a big, long-term deal if he keeps it up.

There'll be some big tests on the horizon for Rollins against top guards around the league, such as Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, and Cade Cunningham, all of whom he'll see in upcoming games this month.