2015 Draft Review: Milwaukee Bucks

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Michael Carter-Williams/Greivis Vasquez/Tyler Ennis

SG: Khris Middleton/O.J. Mayo/Jerryd Bayless/Rashad Vaughn

SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo/Damien Ingles

PF: Jabari Parker/Johnny O'Bryant III

C: Greg Monroe/Zaza Pachulia/John Henson/Miles Plumlee

What They Did On Draft Night 

Drafted UNLV shooting guard Rashad Vaughn 17th overall

Milwaukee was clearly looking towards next summer, when O.J. Mayo and Jerryd Bayless come off the books, with their selection of Vaughn, who does one thing well, and that is create shots for himself. Vaughn is just 18, so he can grow and develop so much more, but right now he is a questionable shot taker who is able to make said shots at an above-average rate. He isn't a great athlete so the worry is that those shots will be harder to create and to make once bigger, stronger, longer, more athletic defenses get the idea you aren't going to pass much. This is especially worrisome in Milwaukee, which has a ton of talent players, but not ones that are exactly bursting with shooting ability. That's going to close down the space even more. Vaughn has a lot of ability, but he is going to have to evolve into a better decision-maker and more team-oriented player in the NBA.

Traded the 46th pick and a conditional 2016 first round pick to Toronto for Greivis Vasquez

I like Vasquez as a player and he fills a need for the Bucks, but with just one year left on his deal, a first round pick is an overpay. The pick comes from the Clippers and will likely be in the bottom third of the draft, but a one year rental of a career backup with some significant flaws in his game is a lot. Milwaukee should have been able to get more, if they were patient. That aside, Vasquez is a good fit because he can really shoot (and Michael Carter-Williams really can't) while also distributing well and scoring with a crafty midrange game, just don't ask him to score at the rim. His biggest flaw, defense, will be somewhat masked by the Bucks system and versatile, rangy defenders. Honestly, unless Carter-Williams really takes a big step forward, I wouldn't be surprised if Vasquez was finishing most games by seasons end, if not starting them.

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2015 Draft Preview: Memphis Grizzlies

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Mike Conley/Beno Udrih/Russ Smith

SG: Courtney Lee/Vince Carter/Jordan Adams

SF: Tony Allen

PF: Zach Randolph/Jarnell Stokes/JaMychal Green

C: Jon Leuer

2015 Free Agents

PG Nick Calathes 

C Marc Gasol

F Jeff Green (player option)

C Kosta Koufos

2015 Draft Picks

1-25

Team Needs

The Grizzlies perennially need another creative offensive player as well as more 3-point shooting, so it would certainly make sense for them to target a player that can help them in that area. However, there may be bigger needs materializing this summer as both Marc Gasol and Kosta Koufos are going to be free agents. Gasol will likely be re-signed, but Koufos is almost certain to leave for another team, opening up a big hole at backup center. While that may not seem like a big deal, Koufos was one of the best backup centers in the NBA and helped keep Memphis' defense playing at a high level when Gasol was off the court. For Memphis, who's second unit occasionally struggled to score, this was vitally important to their success and kept them from having to overplay Gasol. Memphis is also a team that could make a trade that dramatically reshape their roster, Zach Randolph perhaps?

Potential Fits

There are a couple of shooters that could be available when Memphis drafts, Stanford's Anthony Brown and Virginia's Justin Anderson both could fit the bill and help keep the Grizzlies defense playing at a high level. UNLV's Rashad Vaughn is a shot-creator at shooting guard that could appeal to Memphis, however he is somewhat one dimensional and sort of a lesser version of Jordan Adams. The best fit to what may be Memphis' biggest need is Washington center Robert Upshaw, who is a legitimate top 10 talent but has some big off-the-court issues in his past. Upshaw is the best interior defender in the draft, a shot blocking machine with the strength to bang in the paint. Memphis has done a great job helping rehab questionable characters in the past and have strong team leaders that could help Upshaw get the most out of his ability and life.

Mock Draft
25. Robert Upshaw, C, Washington

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2015 Draft Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Ricky Rubio/Lorenzo Brown

SG: Kevin Martin/Zach LaVine

SF: Andrew Wiggins/Shabazz Muhammad/Chase Budinger

PF: Anthony Bennett/Adreian Payne

C: Nikola Pekovic/Gorgui Dieng

2015 Free Agents

G Jorge Gutierrez (RFA)

C Justin Hamilton (RFA)

C Arinze Onuaku (RFA)

F Robbie Hummel (RFA)

PF Kevin Garnett

G Gary Neal

2015 Draft Picks

1-1

2-1(31)

2-6(36) via Sacramento

Team Needs

The Timberwolves have two definitive foundational pieces in Andrew Wiggins and Ricky Rubio to go along with several young, inexperienced talents that could become part of that foundation if they continue to develop. On the court, Minnesota utilizes a lot of post-ups, so shooting and spacing are crucial to success. The lack of said shooting last season contributed to Minnesota's offensive woes; "lack" is an appropriate term: Minnesota finished dead last in both makes and attempts from behind the 3-point line. If the Wolves resign Kevin Garnett, their starting lineup will essential be set; however, they may try to trade both Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin. Pekovic would be replaced with the number 1 pick, whether is be Karl Towns or Jahlil Okafor, but if Martin is traded, a need at shooting guard would open up. A strong spot-up shooting 2-guard would be a tremendous boon to Minnesota's offense.

Potential Fits

With the number 1 pick, Minnesota needs to take whomever they think the best prospect is; we can debate whether that prospect actually is the best, but not the process behind the selection. With their two early second round picks, shooting needs to be a priority. Anthony Brown of Stanford can ably defend both wing positions and is a 40%+ 3-point shooter; there is a good chance he will be available then. Cyprien international Aleksandar Vezenkov isn't a shooting guard, but he might be the best shooter in the whole draft, though there is a chance he won't be coming to the NBA right away. Florida's Michael Frazier is another excellent shooter, but at 6-4 he lacks ideal shooting guard size, which will likely contribute to his availability in the second round. There are some questions about UNLV's Rashad Vaughn's ability to make 3s, but he shot a good percentage as a Freshman and is just 18; however he may be drafted in the late first. If Minnesota is able to trade for another first rounder this season, both Kentucky's Devin Booker and R.J. Hunter of Georgia State would be great fits. Because of Ricky Rubio's size and ability to defend 2-guards, a non-traditional option like point guard Cameron Payne of Murray State could work.

Mock

1. Towns/Okafor

31. Johnathan Holmes, F, Texas

36. Michael Frazier, SG, Florida

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