NBA Draft 2019 Prospect Watch: Grant Williams

Fit with the Bucks

As strange as it is to see someone of Williams’ pedigree and ready-made skill package have such a polarizing range, it looks like there may be a chance that the 20-year-old will be available when the Bucks are on the clock with the 30th overall pick.

And if that indeed does play out, it’d be hard to see the Bucks pass on Williams for a few reasons. Williams’ array of skills and intangibles fit right in with what the Bucks have historically targeted in their most recent draft selections.

Of course, the biggest question about Williams’ translation to the NBA lies in his perimeter shooting and playing in a more supportive role will only make his shooting development that much more critical in order to serve a meaningful impact for a long time.

For a team that like the Bucks spaces the floor to the degree that they do with the five-out offense head coach Mike Budenholzer implemented this season, Williams will be asked to let it fly to a level that he hasn’t previously experienced.

While some of the concerns surrounding Williams’ undersized stature and average length may be overblown, depending on your perspective, there will certainly be nights when Williams is neutralized against a bad matchup. However, those two big questions shouldn’t be enough to dissuade any front office, much less the Bucks, from taking the Tennessee product once we get into the 20s in the draft.

Milwaukee will likely take a hit to their frontcourt depth with both Brook Lopez and Nikola Mirotic set to be free agents in less than two weeks, respectively.

Williams is far from a like-for-like replacement, but his projection as a small ball center, with hopefully an improved shot, is tantalizing, considering his unselfish and complementary tendencies. Projecting even further, Williams would make for an interesting pairing next to the Bucks’ promising, rangy forward-center D.J. Wilson, as the duo could combine for interesting, unconventional lineups.

Again, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Williams picked earlier than 30 as he’s a useful piece to many teams around the league. But Williams may just be the steal of the draft if he were somehow to land in the Bucks’ lap come Thursday night.