Fit with the Bucks
With it looking very possible that he may be in play by the time the Bucks are selecting their only selection on draft night, Fernando poses an interesting dilemma to Milwaukee.
Questions swirl around the Bucks’ starting center from this season, that being Brook Lopez, as he’s hitting free agency for the second straight year and where he was a steal last time, the sharpshooting seven-footer has rightly earned a significant raise.
Whether that will come from the Bucks is the big question, considering the number of significant free agents the Bucks are set to have outside of Lopez and all eyes are on the team’s ownership in terms of if they’ll go into the luxury tax to retain their core free agents after such a transcendental season.
The Bucks have to recognize that there’s no way to replicate the full range of Lopez’s services through a replacement in this year’s draft and the team’s current timeline presents a level of urgency as well. But in the event that they don’t or if the Bucks are looking for frontcourt depth through the draft, Fernando may be the best available prospect in that regard.
With that said, the former Terrapin is not the most snug fit in terms of the way the Bucks have prioritized centers to space the floor this season and selecting Fernando with that in mind is making a big gamble on him ever becoming an effective floor spacer, especially to a high volume.
There are risks defensively too as previously addressed and Fernando’s high-level athleticism won’t be enough to cover up his current awareness deficiencies.
Fernando has the makings of a player who could fulfil a high energy role and the enticing array of skills and high work ethic leaves you with the impression that there’s still more room for him to grow. Whether it’s to the degree of the Bucks’ liking and fit will be the big question if he ultimately ends up being available at pick no. 30.