NBA Free Agency: David Nwaba could offer Bucks elite backcourt defense at low cost
By Adam McGee
Fit With Bucks
As a team with well-documented and frankly overstated shooting issues, there’s a surface leve; analysis of Nwaba’s game that would make him seem like an awful fit for Milwaukee. The truth is Nwaba could fit in with any team in the league, though.
The California native boasts outstanding defensive versatility, as he has the quickness to track guards and the surprising strength to battle front court behemoths in the post. His instincts on that end of the floor are sound, and the combination of his athleticism and intelligence allow Nwaba to frequently outperform his size and ability defensively.
In his relatively brief time in both L.A. and Chicago, Nwaba has thrived in matching up against the opposing team’s best player and has proven to be both game and capable even in what look to be the most obvious of mismatches.
The ideal for players with his body type may be 3-and-D, but the luxury and the value of being able to call upon a defensive specialist from your rotation shouldn’t be underestimated.
Honing in on Nwaba’s fit with the Bucks again, Nwaba’s speed, comfort in handling the ball, and ability to beat opponents off the dribble makes him a viable option to play minutes as a backup point guard.
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Of course, there’s also the prospect that whether it’s with the Bucks, Bulls or anyone else, Nwaba can someday develop a reliable shooting touch. It may be unlikely, and it could certainly backfire if a team were to try to push him too far out of his comfort zone, but as an already competent role player, there’s still a possibility that Nwaba could be molded into something even better.