Milwaukee Bucks 2020 NBA Draft roundtable: Looking at potential fits

Milwaukee Bucks 2020 NBA Draft roundtable: Looking at under-the-radar, projected first round prospects

Question: Is there a player you believe is underrated by the mainstream that you think a smart team could realistically snag in the late first round?

Spencer Pearlman: I don’t think there’s a specific player, to be honest, just because of the varied boards. However, I do think Desmond Bane, Xavier Tillman, and Malachi Flynn should be three guys that win-now teams/smart teams target starting around 20. If you trust your medical staff, Tillie is another name to add to the list. All high-IQ players with two-way skill sets and versatile games. Tillman has to improve as a shooter, yes, but he literally does everything else you want a big man to do on the court while being the best passing big in the draft – an unbelievably skilled short roll passer. Grant Riller is another name, but most guys are on him from what I’ve seen.

If you’re looking for younger players that smart teams should target, Leandro Bolmaro (to stash), Robert Woodard, and Isaiah Joe are three younger guys I’d target. Bolmaro is an unbelievably skilled passer and a really good defender on and off ball; Woodard is a nice shooter with good athleticism and versatile defensive potential; and Isaiah Joe is a very good shooter (don’t let the percentages from 2019-20 phase you) and a good defender on and off ball (though he is skinny, which could be problematic).

Max Carlin: My go-to answers for this question tend to be Xavier Tillman and Desmond Bane. Tillman is my personal favorite in the class, a brilliant basketball intellect with the strength, length, handling, and decision-making to thrive as an undersized big. Bane is probably the best shooter in the class with very plus passing for his NBA role as an off-guard, all while adding value as a team defender. As far as more developmental options go, I am a huge fan of Isaiah Joe, whose reputation as an unconscious gunner from deep obscures his team defense impact, footwork and lateral movement flashes at the point of attack, plus passing for his role, and legitimate off-the-dribble space creation.

Ben Pfeifer: I’ll mention Leandro Bolmaro, who is often projected in that range, but is somebody I have in the lottery. Ultimately, I like him as an upside swing in a weak class, given his elite ball handling and excellent passing, in the hopes he develops as a pull-up shooter or finisher, which would only add on to his elite guard defense. He’s an excellent stash candidate and should be gone far earlier than he will be.

Mike Gribanov: Desmond Bane is a really obvious answer that everyone on “Draft Twitter” would agree on. However, he has been rising in the pre-draft process, so perhaps he won’t fall as much as we think. Aleksej Pokusevski would be a terrific choice for the Bucks as a young, high-risk, high-reward player from the Greek second league. The Bucks of course, have some familiarity with guys like that (wink wink). I am also a huge Josh Green fan and he is actually rated in the 20s on many major media boards. I’d say he is approximately a top-10 prospect in the class and getting him in the late first would be a major steal. I have also seen Theo Maledon slide in a lot of mocks, so if he is around, he would be a great choice as well.

PD Web: It would be cheating to say a wing, right? It can never hurt to have too many wings. Because Leandro Bolmaro (the 6’7 wing from Barcelona) is everything a smart team could want in terms of audacious playmaking and defensive chops at the point of attack. Obviously, Bolmaro is a draft and stash guy with shooting concerns, but there are reasons for optimism considering his recent development curve and ability to produce in ACB (Spain’s top professional league) at a young age. On the other side of the spectrum is Desmond Bane: a 6’6, 22-year-old, broad-built marksman who would easily be able to launch every type of three imaginable to his heart’s content while contributing defense and small usage playmaking. Just look at these four-year numbers from the best shooter in the 2020 draft:

"View post on imgur.com"