Q4. Who would be your preferred option at that spot from the group of players who are likely to be available, and why would you pick them?
TK: In terms of point guards I like Elie Okobo the most because I think he can shoot it off the dribble and I like his flair and IQ. I also like his measurements (6’3”, 6’8” wingspan) and his frame seems like it can add muscle. My NBA comparison is a poor man’s Damian Lillard.
In terms of wings, I like Kevin Huerter because of his size and I think he understands how to move off ball and has good IQ on both ends of the floor. My NBA comparison is a poor man’s Klay Thompson.
Donte DiVincenzo is another guard that interests me. He seems like a good athlete. He also is a good off ball player and I think he can play pseudo point guard with Giannis. His court vision is also promising so if he improves his ball-handling, I think he can be a full-time point guard. Defensively he is undersized but he competes. My NBA comparison is Gary Harris. Teams are not that high on him so trading down to get him is possible.
I’d be mostly happy with any of these three but there are plenty of others I’d be OK with. If I had to pick one of these three it would be Okobo.
BR: Personally, I’m a big fan of Elie Okobo because of his ability to help now and potential to grow in the future. Of the players likely available in the mid-first round, I think Okobo has the most potential to become this year’s Donovan Mitchell (who I hoped the Bucks would find a way to trade up for last year).
Aside from Okobo, I would be happy with the Bucks getting Kevin Huerter, who has good size for a modern NBA wing at 6’6” and a nice three-point stroke. Robert Williams is another name I wouldn’t mind hearing called, despite his lack of height for an NBA center at 6’9”. He’s a solid rebounder and shot blocker and projects as a rim runner similar to Clint Capela, something the Bucks could certainly use.
BS: Elie Okobo. At the start of this draft process, I hadn’t even heard of Okobo but having read and watched hours upon hours of content, I have bought into the hype. Okobo projects to have one of the highest ceilings for guards in this draft and can shoot at an elite level. Like any European talent, there is a definite amount of bust potential but as I stated above, you really can’t be sure any player is a guaranteed thing until they step onto the floor.
JT: We’re riding the Elie Okobo train and you won’t be able to stop it because someone cut the brakes! (maniacally laughs) Ahem, in all seriousness, I think Okobo fits much of the criteria for the ideal point guard next to someone like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.
Based on his ability to score with and without the ball in his hands, his dynamism as a ball handler and his whole skill package at this stage in his development, Okobo could potentially serve two masters in being able to fill a limited role off the bat and hopefully, taking on a greater role and becoming a vital piece to the Bucks’ core as currently constructed.
There’s always the possibility he may not end up being the player he fully projects to be, but harnessing the majority of the potential that he possesses could be enough to really give the Bucks a quality, long-term point guard that I think is essential for them to unlock their contending capabilities in the East and the league as a whole.
WW: Kevin Huerter. He’s shot up draft boards recently, and deservedly so with his movement and the kind of shooting ability the Bucks lack. That skill can be unleashed as a sharp weapon to elevate the Bucks’ offense. He’s more than just a shooter, as his court awareness and passing will keep the offensive flow humming. Defensively, he’s smart and functionally just quick enough to not be a complete liability. As the Bucks look to build a fearsome group of versatile wings that can play alongside Giannis and Middleton, Huerter complements the guys already on the roster (Brown, Snell) and has the ability to surpass them in value with his skill-set.
AM: I’ve been driving the Okobo train for a while and this is comfortably the most crowded its been! You’re all very welcome aboard.
I think Okobo has a nice mix of what he can offer now and in the future, the kind of skill-set that is intriguing as a long-term lead guard for the Bucks, and obviously fills a position of need following Eric Bledsoe’s uninspiring playoff showing.
Outside of Okobo, I really like Josh Okogie out of Georgia Tech. He’s an incredible athlete who’s young enough to take major strides in the coming years, but already has the kind of 3-and-D skills to give him a chance to play. The possibilities of how he could be developed and weaponized under Mike Budenholzer’s watch are tantalizing to say the least.