Fit with the Bucks
Being viewed as early as a late first round pick as we’ve seen from some circles, there’s a chance Kabengele will already be off the board by the time the Bucks’ name is called on draft night with pick no. 30.
If that isn’t the case, the Bucks might think long and hard about selecting Kabengele, considering the frontcourt questions they’ll have to address this offseason. Of course, starting big man Brook Lopez is set to hit the open market and the same goes for sharpshooting forward Nikola Mirotic.
Lopez, in particular, likely stands as the bigger priority of the two that the Bucks will seek to retain this summer, but it won’t come without a significant raise after the career reinvention he experienced in his first season in Milwaukee.
Selecting Kabengele, or any big man with their pick in this year’s draft for that matter, doesn’t come without a little bit of reset, considering the learning curve and seasoning any prospects will have to go through and gain on the next level.
There’s no beating the experience that Lopez or Mirotic bring, but Kabengele’s upside is certainly tantalizing and through the help of the Bucks’ developmental staff, he could hit his ceiling with plenty of guidance along the way.
Long story short, Kabengele doesn’t necessarily fit the competitive timeline the Bucks are currently in, but he may be too hard to pass up if he remains available when they’re on the clock on draft night.