Big-and-small draft options will be available
Some years, it’s obvious what position an NBA team needs to address in the draft. For the Milwaukee Bucks, it’s a little more complicated this time around.
The Bucks could go in virtuCenters ally any direction with the 17th overall pick in the June 22 draft. They could always use shooting and guard depth is an area where Milwaukee could look to improve. The Bucks’ frontcourt situation is not as clear since it could hinge on the decisions of a pair of players.
Greg Monroe and Spencer Hawes each hold options for next season, with Monroe’s worth $17.9 million and Hawes’ worth about $6 million. As important as the money, though, is how their decisions affect the team’s roster construction.
Luckily for the Bucks, they should know Monroe’s decision by the time they draft. Monroe, who was a strong, stable scorer off the bench last season and one of the team’s most vital players, must decide on his contract status by draft day. Hawes, who played sparingly after coming to Milwaukee via a trade with Charlotte, has until June 26.
Regardless of what Monroe and Hawes do, general manager John Hammond said last week that adding shooting remains a
top priority for the team during the off-season, which moves forward with the draft combine starting later this week. That could imply the Bucks might lean toward adding a guard or wing in the draft, considering there’s more shooting skill at those positions.
While this draft is full of talented guards, many of whom can stretch the floor, the cream of the crop will certainly be unavailable by the time the Bucks pick at No. 17. It’s likely the top five projected point guards could be off the board within the top 10 picks. When it comes to frontcourt players, it wouldn’t be surprising if only one or two were selected in that span, potentially leaving some of the top big men for teams like the Bucks.
That situation, coupled with the impact of the player-option decisions by Monroe and Hawes, means the Bucks will have a tough call to make. Hammond and his staff might have to grapple with deciding between the best player available and the best fit.
Here are eight players, listed alphabetically, who the Bucks might be able to take with their firstround pick. Players who have signed with an agent and are committed to the draft are denoted with an asterisk.
Ike Anigbogu, UCLA, C, 6-foot-10, 230 lbs.: Anigbogu didn’t stand out during his lone year at UCLA, which is likely why he has not yet signed with an agent. He appeared in 29 of UCLA’s 36 games while battling numerous injuries. When he did play, he averaged just 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game. Yet his strong, athletic build and boundless energy make him an intriguing prospect. One downside, though, is he rarely took jump shots this season and will have plenty of work ahead when it comes to his shooting stroke.
*Jawun Evans, Oklahoma State, PG, 6-1, 175: The top five point guards in this year’s draft are all expected to be lottery picks. Evans is among the tier of point guards below that group. He was one of the most ball-dominant players in college this season yet had the thirdhighest assist rate in the country. Evans averaged 19.2 points, 6.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Offensively, he did most of his work inside the arc, taking just 95 three-point attempts, though he showed promise by making those at a 37.9% clip.
*Terrance Ferguson, Adelaide 36ers (Australia), SG, 6-7, 185: Ferguson originally committed to play college basketball at Arizona, but possible academic eligibility issues led him to leave the program last June to begin his professional career in Australia. He didn’t put up gaudy numbers in Australia, but Ferguson’s elite athleticism, length and strong shooting skills from all over the court make him a surefire first-round pick. Before heading to Australia, Ferguson played for numerous U.S. national teams, including the under-17 squad, which included Diamond Stone and Henry Ellenson, that took home the gold medal in 2014.
*Harry Giles, Duke, C, 6-11, 240: A year ago around this time, Giles was considered one of college basketball’s top incoming freshmen and a likely lottery pick. However, he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last fall and missed the beginning of the college basketball season. It was Giles’ third knee surgery since 2013. He has already torn both anterior cruciate ligaments as well as the medial collateral ligament and meniscus in his left knee. His imposing figure and 7-foot-3 wingspan could still give opponents fits at both ends of the court, but his upside could be limited by his injuries.
*Justin Jackson, North Carolina, SF, 6-8, 210: Jackson was a consensus first-team AllAmerican this year as a junior for the nationalchampion Tar Heels. The long, versatile wing player averaged 18.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 7.1 three-pointers per game and making 37.0% of those attempts. His first two seasons at North Carolina, he was just a 29.7% three-point shooter.
*Luke Kennard, Duke, SG, 6-6, 202: Kennard made a huge jump in almost every measurable stat category from his freshman to his sophomore season. He broke out this past season to become a reliable star for the Blue Devils, averaging 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 35.5 minutes per game while making 43.8% of his three-pointers.
Donovan Mitchell, Louisville, SG, 6-3, 210: Mitchell assumed a larger role as a sophomore this past season and took time to hit his stride. Ultimately, he averaged 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals while shooting 40.8% from the field and 35.4% on threepointers. His weak shooting numbers could cause his stock to slip if he decides to stay in the draft.
Justin Patton, Creighton, C, 7-0, 230: Patton, who redshirted for a year before his lone season at Creighton, is a dynamic athlete who is fantastic at running the court and finishing in transition. He’s also a solid ball-handler and can beat defenders, especially opposing big men, off the dribble. He seldom attempted three-pointers in college, but made 8 of his 15 tries. Patton needs to bulk up and get tougher but could fit in well as a high-flying center in pickand-rolls.