Current Roster
PG: Malcolm Brogdon/Matthew Dellavedova/Gary Payton II
SG: Khris Middleton/Sterling Brown/Rashad Vaughn
SF: Giannis Antetokoumpo
PF: Jabari Parker*/DJ Wilson/Mirza Teletovic
C: Thon Maker/Greg Monroe/John Henson/Spencer Hawes
*When Healthy
2017 Free Agents
Unrestricted
G Jason Terry
F Michael Beasley
Restricted
G Tony Snell
Who They Drafted
1-17 DJ Wilson, PF Michigan
2-46 Sterling Brown, SG/SF SMU
The Bucks certainly love them some length. DJ Wilson is another in a series of draft picks over the last couple of years with above-average length. In many ways, Wilson is a wing in big man's body (it's not surprising that he experienced a late growth spurt from guard size to his current height) much more comfortable in on the perimeter that in the paint, on both ends of the court. Wilson is a capable shooter (career .363% on 135 career three-point attempts) and is comfortable handling the ball and attacking in a straight line to the basket, he is quick and skilled enough that he should be able to take traditional bigs off the dribble, especially if they respect his jumper. Though he had good numbers finishing at the rim last season, there is some question about his ability to finished against stronger players and contact, as Wilson hasn't shown himself to be considerably physical plus Michigan's well spaced offense makes finishing easier overall. Defensively, again Wilson is better on the perimeter, using his mobility while in the paint he struggles with bigger, more physical players and is a poor rebounder. His length allows him to run into some shot blocks, but he isn't a natural rim protector and will also need to work on his technique on the perimeter. All in all, Wilson is a good fit on the Bucks who can use his offensive skill and shooting in their peculiar brand of offense while switching heavily like they do will benefit Wilson's skills more than a traditional defense. With Wilson, Malcolm Brogdon, Khris Middleton, and Thon Maker the Bucks have several players that can both switch and make threes, a deadly combination when played alongside Giannis Antetokoumpo.
In the second round, the Bucks drafted one of my favorite players, SMU's wing Sterling Brown. Brown is an ideal modern NBA role player, a strong, physical wing that plays with tremendous toughness and energy that can also shoot. In the Bucks system, Brown will do a lot of switching and can legitimately defend both guards and forwards while also spacing the floor for Antetokoumpo and running with him in transition. Brown might only peak as a rotation role player but his skillset is so valuable in the NBA these days.
What They Need Going Forward
Besides a healthy Jabari Parker, the biggest thing the Bucks can do this offseason is bring back Tony Snell and try to move some of their backup centers, Spencer Hawes and John Henson. The Bucks probably won't be looking to add much, but another wing that create his own shot, because believe it or not Michael Beasley was actually pretty helpful for them last season. They could also, perhaps, use a true power forward (not a center or combo forward) that might give them some more versatility when it comes to going small.
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Showing posts with label milwaukee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label milwaukee. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Saturday, July 4, 2015
2015 Draft Review: Milwaukee Bucks
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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Saturday, June 20, 2015
2015 Draft Preview: Milwaukee Bucks
PG: Michael Carter-Williams/Tyler Ennis/Jorge Gutierrez
SG: O.J. Mayo/Jerryd Bayless
SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo/Damien Ingles
PF: Jabari Parker/Johnny O'Bryant III
C: Zaza Pachulia/John Henson/Miles Plumlee
2015 Free Agents
G/F Khris Middleton (RFA)
F Jared Dudley (early termination option)
2015 Draft Picks
1-17
2-16(46)
Team Needs
Provided Khris Middleton is re-signed, which you can assume the Bucks would do at basically whatever cost, the the Bucks starting lineup is essentially set, barring the unexpected acquisition of an above-average center. In that case, the Buck should be drafting for both depth and upside, particularly in the frontcourt where the trade of Ersan Ilyasova has left them a little shallow. This could become an even bigger issue if Jabari Parker and/or Giannis Antetokounmpo struggle to defend power forwards. I could also see Milwaukee looking at one of the top point guards if they are available because while they just traded for Michael Carter-Williams, he hasn't really improved much as a player and might not be the future at the position.
Potential Fits
The Bucks love long athletes with positional versatility and there are three that should be around when they pick: UCLA's Kevon Looney, UNLV's Christian Wood and Montrezl Harrell of Louisville. Wood is intruiging, but is similar in a lot of ways to John Henson, albiet with a better jumper. Harrell is the least offensive skilled, but has the most NBA-ready body and game but I think Looney, if available would be the pick because he is the sweet spot of upside and ready to contribute skills a team like the Bucks would like as the balance building for the future with a chance to keep making the playoffs. After that, Harrell has the best chance of success but Wood much more upside. Of the point guards, I think Jerian Grant is the one that would intruige them the most because he has the size to play multiple spots. Georgia State shooting guard R.J. Hunter is an interesting option if O.J. Mayo is traded or Khris Middleton gets offered more than Milwaukee is comfortable with matching.
Mock Draft
17. Christian Wood, F/C, UNLV
Saturday, June 28, 2014
Milwaukee Bucks Draft Review
Not the best player available, but probably the pick that Milwaukee needed to make because Parker is a (relatively) local guy and has the chance to be a "star" in the marketing sense, as well as providing a lot of value on the floor. Apparently the Bucks want to use him at power forward, which is probably the best ways to maximize his talents offensively and limit his potential defensive struggles. Whatever position he plays he will score and score a lot. Parker is the first step in what needs to be a pretty big rebuild, which will have to include trading several forwards and centers, because with Parker and the Bucks next two picks, the Bucks have a big logjam in their frontcourt.
31. Damien Ingles, F French Guiana (6-8, 240)
Ingles is the opposite Parker, raw offensively but a defensive ace. Ingles is strong, athletic, and has a massive 7-3 wingspan which should allow him to match up with both 3s and 4s defensively. On offense he has a ways to go, not much of a shooter or a ball-handler, but at just 19 there is hope in that respect. Ingles is going to come over and play for the Bucks right away, but unless they make many aforementioned trades, I am not sure he's going to get much playing time to help develop.
36. Johnny O'Bryant, PF LSU Jr. (6-9, 250)
O'Bryant has been underrated throughout the process because he has the ability to score around the basket, rebound, and block shots with some perimeter skills as well. I like his chances to fit as a fifth big man on a roster, however the Bucks are so crammed at power forward, there is a good chance he ends up in the D-League until their roster is cleared out. The Bucks have drafted a number of long, athletic shot-blockers without a lot of offensive skill, so O'Bryant is a nice compliment to that.
Projected Lineup
PG: Brandon Knight/Nate Wolters
SG: O.J. Mayo
SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo/Khris Middleton/Carlos Delfino/Damien Ingles
PF: Jabari Parker/Ersan Ilyasova/John Henson/Johnny O'Bryant
C: Larry Sanders/Zaza Pachulia/Miroslav Raduljica
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