How do experts view the pick of Jordan Nwora and his fit with the Milwaukee Bucks?
There was some early whispers courtesy of Jake Weingarten of Stock Risers that Nwora was the Bucks’ guy at 45 before they ultimately took him at that spot. The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie ($$) confirmed that the Bucks essentially had a first round grade on Nwora and were contemplating him with the 24th overall pick before the Holiday trade.
Nwora essentially confirmed to that in speaking to the Buffalo News’ Miguel Rodriguez Thursday morning after being selected by the Bucks:
"“Fortunately, they reached out to my agency and told me they were going to do everything they can do to get me,” Nwora said. “They were going to move up and get me in the early 30s, but luckily my agency (Priority Sports and Entertainment) was able to hold off everybody else. They really wanted me bad. … I can’t wait to get down there and I couldn’t be in a better spot.”"
In his analysis of every pick made in Wednesday’s NBA Draft, Kyle Boone of CBS Sports handed out an ‘A’ grade for the Bucks with their pick of Nwora and pointed towards his elite shooting abilities, especially in spot up situations:
"“There’s immense value in owning an elite skill, and for Nwora, it’s his shooting. He rated in the 94th percentile last season as a spot-up shooter and should be a plug-and-play wing for the Bucks next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Not only good value, but a good pick. Grade: A“"
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony detailed the slip that Nwora had in returning back to his junior season, but still managed to land at least a two-year guaranteed contract, per Wiengarten:
"“One of the best shooters in this class, Jordan Nwora had his first-round chances extinguished by an up-and-down season in the ACC, but it did not prevent him from hearing his name called in the middle of the second round. Nwora’s aggressiveness and the quickness with which he gets off his feet, combined with his range, could help him carve out an NBA career.”"
Finally, Zach Buckley and Jonathan Wasserman over at Bleacher Report gave their two cents on the Nwora pick and were bullish on his fit in Milwaukee:
"“The Milwaukee Bucks need shooters alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jordan Nwora has one of the more reliable shots in the draft. He drilled 178 three-pointers across three seasons at Louisville and converted his long-range looks at a 39.4 percent clip. “Nwora is one of the draft’s most proven shot-makers, and with 6’7” size, he should be able to continue drilling jumpers in the NBA from either forward spot,” Wasserman wrote. “Despite being limited athletically, he’s terrific in transition, finishing with body control and touch. Grade: B“"