The Buck Stops Here Roundtable #9: Mid-Season Review
By Tim Wray
Whether they joined the team through the draft or in free agency, who has been the best off-season acquisition?
Coffman: Apologies to Tony Snell, who I think has done a great job in Khris Middleton’s absence, but in terms of value, it’s hard to go anywhere but Malcolm Brogdon. He’s arguably been the Bucks’ best guard, will finish top three in Rookie of the Year voting, posterized LeBron James, and has played like a 10-year veteran despite being a second-round rookie. Delly and Telly have both hit some rough patches, but I think both will be able to pull out of it sooner rather than later. Again, kudos to John Hammond for masterminding two trade deals that quite possibly saved the season.
Schlepp: Beasley and Snell have been solid contributors all season and were acquired for next to nothing, Jason Terry looks like a second coach out on the floor directing traffic, but this award goes to Malcolm Brogdon. POTUS has been a lightning bug off the bench and truly looks like the point guard of the future. He looks capable playing next to any of his teammates. His photo album of elite NBA players that he’s put on posters this season is something I will remember until my dying days. The Bucks got first round talent for second round value. A player of Brogdon’s skills would probably command over $10 million on the open market and the Bucks have him locked up for the next two years for chump change. He is truly the Rookie of the Year (non-Embiid Edition).
Katti: I think the correct answer here is Malcolm Brogdon. John Hammond turned a second round draft pick into a consistent player who may be worthy of being the starter. He is very mature for a rookie, and seems to know the game. An answer for the original question that is not wrong is Tony Snell. Snell has been very good this season, and he should be amazing off the bench when Middleton comes back.
Heffernon: It’s so close for me. I’d agree with my fellow writers that Brogdon is the correct choice. I think all of them gave wonderful points as to why. But I think Michael Beasley is a really close second. He has been inconsistent but when he is on he has shown that he can easily take over a game. Beasley has been kicking butt on offense and even participates on the defensive end from time to time. He deserves some recognition here even though Brogdon has outplayed him overall.
McGee: I think the Bucks made a number of worthwhile additions this summer, but if you look at his role, production and influence over his more experienced teammates, it makes Malcolm Brogdon the clear winner.
Treske: Like everyone else, I have to go with Malcolm Brogdon.
For all the grumbling regarding the team jettisoning second round picks for nothing in return the last two drafts, Brogdon has already made up for those missteps with his impressive play this year and his arrival has helped shore up a position that was in dire need of revamping. Whether it’s the handful of posters, his triple-double or his many nicknames, Brogdon has been a welcomed addition and has played well beyond his years and his few months of NBA experience (#savvy).
Simply put, you just couldn’t ask for more out of a player in his rookie season, much less a second rounder and there’s only so much more to come.
Wray: Unsurprisingly, It’s an extremely well-deserved clean sweep for Malcolm Brogdon.
Whether it’s because of his veteran-like composure on the ball, elite three-point shooting or solid perimeter defense, you’re hard pressed to find a second-round rookie who has been this productive, so early into their NBA career, not to mention the clear-cut steal of the draft and almost certain top three finisher in Rookie of the Year voting.
Michael Beasley and Tony Snell also deserve some recognition, having both exceeded the expectations of their roles on this team, particularly on offense.