Scarcely have the Milwaukee Bucks been known for striking gold when selecting draft picks over the past decade, with 2013 being the most well-known exception.
They have made some puzzling selections over the years, and while it can be torturous to look back and relive those memories, nothing can deter the happiness of Bucks fans right now as they relish in championship glory. Taking a look at every draft in the Giannis Antetokounmpo era, the 2014 NBA Draft certainly had some what-ifs featured throughout, but does the 2015 NBA Draft hold the same star-power?
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The Bucks held the 17th pick heading into the draft, selecting Rashad Vaughn out of UNLV. The move had potential as the team aimed to replenish their guard depth, but Vaugh never quite panned out as he lasted three seasons in the NBA, appearing in brief stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic after leaving Milwaukee.
Vaughn left much to be desired after being taken with the 17th pick, especially with the talent that came after him. With that being said, here are five options for the Bucks in a 2015 NBA redraft.
No. 5 option for Milwaukee Bucks in 2015 NBA redraft — Larry Nance Jr.
Larry Nance Jr. would have been an interesting fit for a Bucks team that was loaded with talent in the frontcourt. In addition to a rising star in Antetokounmpo – who mostly played point guard that season – they had names like Jabari Parker, Greg Monroe, Miles Plumlee, and Johnny O’Bryant on the 2015-16 roster, so minutes may have been tough to come by initially.
However, Nance has quietly developed into one of the more underrated players in the game over the past several years. First off, the big man has become a versatile defender that can handle his own against multiple positions across the board. Having another switchable defender like that in the mix would have been a big boost for an ascending team like the Bucks, particularly if Nance were to get where he is now in the NBA.
Offensively, the big man has never been a reputable scorer, averaging double figures just once in his six-year career. On top of that, 3-point shooting has been among his weakest attributes, as Nance has hit just 33.3 percent of the triples in his career on 1.2 attempts per game. The forward has improved over the past two seasons by knocking down 35.5 percent on three attempts, but the shooting struggles to begin his career would have been an issue next to Antetokounmpo and Monroe, among others.
Bringing Nance in with the 17th selection would have been compelling, to say the least. Instead, he went 27th overall to the Los Angeles Lakers and has had a solid career to this point as a role player for a handful of teams.
No. 4 option for Milwaukee Bucks in 2015 NBA redraft — Josh Richardson
Looking through guards that were selected after the Bucks took Vaughn at 17, Josh Richardson is certainly one that would have been an interesting target. The Miami Heat took Richardson with the 40th overall pick in 2015, and the selection proved to be a steal.
Richardson quickly showed potential as a two-way player, flashing glimpses of star power along the way. His scoring has been the stronger aspect of his game, averaging double figures in five out of his first six seasons, the only exception being his rookie year where he was primarily used in a bench role. Defensively, the swingman has been a tenacious player on that side of the ball, giving teams a versatile defender to throw at opposing wings.
For the Bucks, Richardson would have been an immediate upgrade over Vaughn. His game on the offensive end would have fit in seamlessly with the team, particularly for a Milwaukee team that ranked 25th in points per game the following season. Vaughn averaged 3.1 points during his time with the Bucks, failing in comparison to the 12.3 points per game Richardson has averaged for his career. On the defensive end, it is not close either as Richardson would have been another solid piece to utilize.
After four seasons with the Heat, Richardson has spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks and will now be heading to the Boston Celtics. Who knows how things may have panned out if his journey began in Milwaukee.
No. 3 option for Milwaukee Bucks in 2015 NBA redraft — Montrezl Harrell
The fit here would have been somewhat concerning here for the Bucks, but they would likely not hesitate to choose a future Sixth Man of the Year winner if they could. The same sentiment goes for many of the other teams that passed on Montrezl Harrell before he was selected 32nd overall by the Houston Rockets.
Harrell would get off to a slow start with the Rockets in his first two seasons, genuinely taking off after being traded to the LA Clippers. Over the past four years, the big man has transformed into one of the best bench players in the league, taking home 2019-20 Sixth Man of the Year honors after averaging 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. No team could have predicted that the second round stud could have developed into that type of player, and he proved himself to be a steal at 32.
Just as the case was with Nance, Harrell would have joined an overly-crowded frontcourt with the 2015-16 Bucks. His fit next to Monroe, O’Bryant, and Antetokounmpo would have been crammed due to his inability to shoot from the perimeter, asserting himself as a scoring threat closer to the hoop throughout his career. That might have certainly made things awkward at times as the team ranked 21st in 3-point percentage the following season with the Vaughn pick.
Harrell may never have developed into the player that he is today had he never been traded to the Clippers. Regardless, the Bucks could have taken a swing on him at 17 in the 2015 draft.
No. 2 option for Milwaukee Bucks in 2015 NBA redraft — Bobby Portis
Although Bobby Portis would eventually make his way to Milwaukee and cement his status as a fan favorite forever, the Bucks had a chance to draft him in 2015. The Razorback went 22nd to the Chicago Bulls, a Central Division rival for the Bucks, so they got a good look at him early on in his career whenever the two teams squared off.
Portis went through the ups and downs during his first few years in the league as he was traded from Chicago to the Washington Wizards and then joining the New York Knicks. His journey would lead him to Milwaukee, signing a team-friendly deal to genuinely compete at the highest level for the first time in his career. He would instantly carve out a role for himself, helping the team end their 50-year title drought with his energy, scoring, and prolific rebounding ability.
Many speculated that the Bucks might have been leaning towards taking Portis in that draft, and it was somewhat of a surprise when they did not. Regardless, things ultimately worked out anyway as the Bucks not only got the big man, but they managed to win a championship with him as a key contributor off the bench.
No. 1 option for Milwaukee Bucks in 2015 NBA redraft — Norman Powell
Whenever Bucks look back at the 2015 NBA Draft, they are painfully reminded that the team had taken Norman Powell with the 46th pick, but immediately traded him.
They would ship Powell and a future 2017 first round pick to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, which never panned out. The move has haunted the team as Vasquez played just 23 games with the team while putting up some of the worst numbers of his career, while Powell turned into a borderline star with Toronto and torched Milwaukee whenever the two teams met. The guard would seemingly turn things up a notch when playing the team that traded him away on draft night, serving as a constant reminder for fans.
Rather than waiting for him to fall to them at 46th overall, the Bucks would have liked to speed up the process and take him 17th in this redraft. All things considered, Powell would have been a big upgrade over what the Bucks got from Vaughn for 133 games. Powell’s great shooting and scoring ability would have made him a perfect fit in the lineup, particularly if they were looking to bolster their guard depth. Tie that in with his presence defensively and he would have been a near-perfect fit at the time, but especially in the modern-day.
Although neither side ultimately know how things would have turned out, the Raptors fleeced the Buck in the dreaded draft day deal looking back on it. Vasquez never lasted and Powell continues to haunt the Milwaukee Bucks whenever he takes them head-on.