Milwaukee Bucks Will Benefit From High Draft Pick

If the Milwaukee Bucks want to become one of the best teams in the league, they need to reap the rewards of a high draft pick.

Things continue to look grim for the Milwaukee Bucks. Through 37 games, the team sits at a 14-23 record, good for third worst in the Eastern Conference.

The team sits six games behind the eighth seeded Detroit Pistons and this margin continues to grow with each passing game. At this point, the Brooklyn Nets are closer to leapfrogging the Bucks (only 2.5 games behind) than the Bucks are to making the playoffs.

Many would consider this season, given the sky high expectations coming into this season, as being “lost.” However, the reality is much different than this.

By overachieving last season, the Bucks lost out on the benefit of receiving another high lottery pick. Unlike the Oklahoma City Thunder, who benefited from picking in the top five in three straight seasons, the Bucks only landed in the high lottery once in 2014, picking Jabari Parker second overall.

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The team has undoubtedly acquired a lot of solid talent, especially relative to draft position. However, most true rebuilds involve multiple years of picking in the lottery. It’s how Oklahoma City ended up with a big three of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. It’s also how Golden State was able to land Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Even the Cleveland Cavaliers benefited from picking high in the draft, getting Kyrie Irving first overall and trading their other two first overall picks for their final star player in Kevin Love.

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) and guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with the Larry O /

Of course, drafting in the lottery is no guarantee of success. Sacramento has had the “benefit” of picking in the lottery every year since 2006, yet has missed the playoffs every single year and only has one true superstar (Demarcus Cousins) to show for it. The Clippers, prior to their current success, also experienced decades of poor play on the court, despite picking in the top six on nearly a yearly basis. However, the upside of getting another high lottery pick is too good to pass up for this Milwaukee Bucks team.

At this moment, the Bucks have a nice base to build on. The team does have one clear emerging superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s having a borderline All-Star season. In addition, Jabari Parker has shown flashes, and is only beginning to scratch the surface of the potential that made him the second overall pick just over a year ago.

How the rest of the talent on the team fits, however, isn’t entirely clear, especially given the poor product we’ve seen on the court this year.

Greg Monroe has proved he has real value as an offense weapon, but his lack of ability to protect the rim has really left the defense exposed, especially considering the decline of everyone else around him on the defensive end.

Michael Carter-Williams has declined significantly on the defensive-end and his lack of floor spacing and overall offensive approach makes his fit as the long-term point guard option questionable at best

Khris Middleton is undoubtedly a solid player, and his recent hot streak shows his real value to the team. However, his streaky shot makes him unreliable for stretches of games.

A top ten pick should provide the Bucks with yet another solid talent which clearly addresses many of their core issues. Kris Dunn is the most obvious fit, an excellent point guard with a variety of skills that would compliment the team. Outside of Ben Simmons, Dunn has arguably had the best season of any potential lottery pick this year.

Jan 2, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Providence Friars guard Kris Dunn (3) reacts during the second half of a game against the St. John /

In 14 games, Dunn is averaging 17.7 points per game along with 7.3 assists and 6.3 rebounds. He’s a solid shooter, shooting 47.9% from the field and 39.5% from three on over four attempts per game. In addition, his defensive skills earn high praise and his size at 6’3″ and 205lbs, should make him a great fit to battle with the best point guards the NBA has to offer.

Dunn does have a problem with turnovers, averaging 4.6 turnovers per game. However, this would likely go down with a lower usage rate at the pro level.

Another intriguing prospect for the Bucks is Marquette big man Henry Ellenson. Ellenson may only be a freshman, but he possesses a range of offensive skills that would complement this Bucks roster. He can stretch the floor, post-up, and create his own shot. In addition, he’s averaging 9.9 boards per game in 32.5 minutes, a solid return, and is only a freshman, unlike the senior in Dunn.

A third clear cut option appears to be Freshman Kentucky Guard Jamal Murray. In 33.7 minutes per game, Murray is averaging 17.1 points on 41.4% from the floor and 38.3% from three on 6.7 attempts per game. He’s capable of playing either guard position and possesses a nice shot from deep. Murray could essentially slot in as a direct replacement for OJ Mayo as the Bucks sixth man guard.

There are other options as well. If the Bucks want a defensive big, then Skal Labisierre may be their man. Other bigs, such as Jakob Poeltl and Ivan Rabb, could provide the Bucks with a more well-rounded offensive threat and potential long-term replacement for Greg Monroe if he decides to leave or gets traded. Brandon Ingram and Jaylen Brown would also provide the Bucks with further depth at the small forward position and Denzel Valentine’s excellent season at Michigan State makes him an intriguing option at shooting guard.

Of course, if the team is lucky enough to win the lottery, Ben Simmons would be their guy. Though they already have two forwards in Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks would undoubtedly take Simmons if given the opportunity. He’s the best talent to come into the draft since LeBron James. However, the prospects of this happening are slim given the Bucks current position in the standings.

Any of these talented players would be a great addition to the team. Most address many of the core issues (defense, rebounding, spacing the floor) that have plagued the team so far this season. The only difficulty that the Bucks will face is how to get their pick playing time.

With the benefit of another lottery pick, the Bucks will add to an already talented team. Thus, despite all of the misery endured (and likely to be endured) this season, a big payoff will likely be on its way come draft night.

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