Milwaukee Bucks: 15 best draft picks in franchise history

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 27: (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

As the Milwaukee Bucks prepare to make their 2018 NBA Draft pick, we look back on the 15 best draft selections in franchise history.

Having never truly managed to earn a reputation as a destination for marquee free agents, the draft has always been of utmost importance to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Although there have been some barren times throughout the franchise’s 50 year history, there has been plenty of success too, and much of that was built via decisions made on draft night.

That was true for the Bucks’ championship team in 1971, it was true for their group of perennial contenders in the 80s, and it’s also accurate for their up-and-coming squad in the present day.

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So, in spite of some missteps in recent years, there’s reason for hope as the Bucks approach the 2018 NBA Draft holding the 17th overall pick, and a look back through some of the franchise’s best selections in history may provide cause for encouragement.

What makes a great pick, though? The answer is that context is always important.

This is not a ranking of the best players drafted by the Bucks, but a look at where and how Milwaukee has managed to identify stars, starters or even key role players over the years, even when they weren’t always obvious to the rest of the NBA on draft night.

To keep things simple, the list only includes players who were selected with picks the Bucks owned heading into draft night. That means there’s no place for the fascinating and frustrating tale of how Julius Erving never suited up for the Bucks, or consideration for Dirk Nowitzki or Ray Allen and the debates that could go on about which team technically drafted them.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the 15 best picks made by the Milwaukee Bucks in the franchise’s draft history.