2013 NBA Draft: Grading the Bucks’ Draft Night Moves for Antetokounmpo and Wolters

Jun 27, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Giannis Antetokounmpo poses for a photo with NBA commissioner David Stern after being selected as the number fifteen overall pick to the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2013 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Giannis Antetokounmpo

Nick Whalen: B

It’s far too early to give a player like Adetokunbo a definitive evaluation, but considering who was left on the board, I think the team made a solid choice. In my mind, no player Milwaukee could have taken instead would have been an immediate difference-maker, so it makes sense to take a chance on a guy with major potential. However, the level of competition he faced is a major concern, and I think it will be two to three seasons before he’s ready to contribute significantly on a nightly basis. Regardless, his eagerness to play in the NBA is encouraging and should help expedite his development.

Alex Skov: B+

Giannis Adetokunbo was the player that best option for the Bucks at No. 15, save Shane Larkin. Adetokunbo is young and still raw, two things that obviously drew GM John Hammond’s attention. In addition to his untapped potential, Adetokunbo has passing ability unlike any non-point guard in the draft and routinely ran his Greek team’s halfcourt sets. If nothing else, Milwaukee will be able to use him as a threat to shoot or pass from the elbow much in the same way the Memphis Grizzlies use Marc Gasol. Once he polishes his all-around game, Adetokunbo could very well be one of the Bucks’ most important contributors.

Dakota Schmidt: B+

In a draft that would set the stage for the team’s future, we go for the riskiest player available in Giannis. The Bucks have been in that mediocre rut for the past 5+ years so it just seems refreshing to take somebody so risky. Antetokounmpo’s physical traits are fantastic but it’s going to be an interesting journey to see how he progresses in a Bucks uniform.

K.L. Chouinard: A

It doesn’t seem quite right to say that Antetokounmpo is an “A” player, but Hammond definitely made an “A” move.  With a middling pick in a dismal draft, he picked the player most likely to be an NBA starter on the rise two years from now.  In addition to having supremely rare physical gifts — including a 7’3″ wingspan — Antetokounmpo has the skill to be a legitimate NBA ballhandler and distributor once Larry Drew gets into coaching him up in that area.

Mar 21, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; South Dakota State Jackrabbits guard Nate Wolters (3) moves the ball on Michigan Wolverines guard Trey Burke (3) in the second half during the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at The Palace. Michigan won 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Nate Wolters

Nick Whalen: C

While Wolters has adequate size and can definitely fill it up from all over the floor, I would have liked to see the Bucks go with Erick Green or James Ennis in the second round. Both players are superior athletes, and Ennis has the potential to develop into a lockdown, defensive swingman, while Green is arguably the best scorer in the entire draft. Regardless, Wolters is a very hard worker and should provide a spark off the bench.

Alex Skov: C-

The Bucks needed to draft a guard and I was fully embedded with the pro-point guard camp, but Nate Wolters does not strike me as being a viable starter in the NBA. I expressed my concerns to Dakota during his pre-draft profile process, citing worries about Wolters’ underwhelming athleticism being a major detriment on defense and a sense that he will turn into a middling score-first guard when facing opponents of a higher caliber than those he saw at South Dakota State. When the Bucks could have conceivably take Larkin in the first round or moved up in the second to select a slightly better athlete and more proven prospect like Isaiah Canaan, dealing for Wolters feels like settling.

Dakota Schmidt: B

As a team in the middle of the second round, grabbing a player like Nate Wolters is an absolute steal. This may be kind of reaching but I think he has Luke Ridnour type potential which is more than solid for a mid second-round pick.

K.L. Chouinard: C

The details of this deal are still unofficial and hazy, but from what I can tell the Bucks gave up an extra second-round pick (from next season, when they had two) to swap up in this years’ second round.  If so, that seems like an awfully high price to pay.  The Bucks have major needs at guard, and Wolters may be ready to help Milwaukee before Antetokounmpo can.  He has size, athleticism, good touch on his floaters, and a knack for getting to the line.  What will be interesting to see is if he becomes a better three-point shooter when he’s not the focal point of opponents’ defensive strategy.  Two seasons ago (and from college distance), he shot 24% from three before upping that to 38% this past season.  He can play, but the price seems a bit high.