While most of the attention around the Milwaukee Bucks is about how they’re gearing up for the playoffs and getting ready to defend their title, it’s also never too early to start thinking about how they’re going to use that 2022 first-round pick. And hey, it’s March Madness so we’re all thinking about college ball to some degree right now!
The Bucks haven’t had a first-rounder that they’ve kept since 2018 (Donte DiVincenzo) and haven’t had a first-round pick (or a draft pick in general) reach his second contract with the team since 2013 (Giannis Antetokounmpo).
Milwaukee has one of the oldest rosters by average age, despite a concerted effort trying to get key role players in the prime age of their careers to fit around Antetokounmpo. The temptation here is to say that the Bucks should trade out of the first round and get more second-rounders, but at some point, they’re going to have to add some younger talent and see if they can hit on a late first-round guy to add cheap talent for four years. Here are a few guys that could be available when the Bucks pick.
Early 2022 NBA Draft prospects the Milwaukee Bucks should consider: Blake Wesley, guard, Notre Dame
There’s the potential that Blake Wesley, a freshman, could go back to school for another year as he’d likely be a late first-round guy and could benefit from another season at Notre Dame, but if he declares after his tournament is over, I’d be very intrigued by him as an option for the Bucks.
He’s a 6’5″, 185-pound combo guard that has shown some very fun self-creation flashes in his freshman season, leading Notre Dame in scoring and helping them get into the tournament.
A four-star recruit, Wesley has surprised many by how much his game has progressed in his first season with the Fighting Irish. He started the season averaging over 14 points per game on 54 percent true shooting and 34 percent from 3 on over five attempts in 14 games. Not mind-blowing, but a nice start to a four-star recruits career.
His 3-point shooting has regressed since then as he’s shooting just 31 percent from deep on the season but is still shooting nearly 48 percent on 2-point attempts.
Wesley is a dynamic offensive self-creator and that’s not really something the Bucks have had coming off their bench in particular. Wesley wouldn’t be someone who would step in right away for real rotation minutes, but I’d be interested in him as someone for them to develop.
Early 2022 NBA Draft prospects the Milwaukee Bucks should consider: Mark Williams, big, Duke
Another player that you can watch in the tournament! Mark Williams is the most common pick in the publicly available mock drafts for the Milwaukee Bucks and that’s because it makes a ton of sense for what they need.
Williams is arguably the best defensive big man in the 2022 draft because of his great feel on that end of the floor as well as great measurables at 7’0″ with a reported 7’7″ wingspan. He’s averaging nearly three blocks per game in his sophomore season (in only 23 minutes per game!) with the Blue Devils and is shooting over 71 percent on 2-point attempts (all around the basket, of course).
Now, due to his lack of shooting, he may not be an exact fit with the Bucks as a potential replacement for Brook Lopez, but in terms of his defense and being able to sit behind Lopez (and potentially Serge Ibaka) as well as learning from Giannis Antetokounmpo about protecting the rim and what head coach Mike Budenholzer wants in their drop coverage would be fantastic for him.
Williams is also more athletic and mobile than Lopez, so I could absolutely see Budenholzer getting creative with how he can scheme his defense with Williams on the floor, but he would be a monster in drop coverage. A good tournament could push him out of the Bucks’ range and teams are always looking for a defensive anchor at center, but Williams would be a great fit for the reigning champs.
Early 2022 NBA Draft prospects the Milwaukee Bucks should consider: E.J. Liddell, forward, Ohio State
I went with a freshman and then a sophomore, so why not finish it up with a junior. I’m very intrigued by E.J. Liddell as he’s someone that people aren’t sure where he’ll fit positionally in the league, but has made strides this season to become more NBA-ready.
At 6’7″ and 240 pounds, Liddell seems like someone who could be that small-ball four alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo when he plays at center. The Milwaukee Bucks were never really able to find that “P.J. Tucker-type” of big wing defender, but Liddell would be an option there; but not at the same level as a defender, of course, just in terms of the frame.
He’s averaging 2.6 blocks per game this season, showcasing his defensive prowess, and could be a defender in the mold of Grant Williams from the Boston Celtics. I like the frame and I like the shot-blocking feel, it would just be about getting him ready to guard NBA wings as soon as possible.
Offensively, Liddell may not be the easiest fit. He posts up a lot, which is fine in college but wouldn’t play in the league and especially not with the Bucks. He’s averaging over 19 points per game and shooting 54.3 percent on 2s. He’d be interesting as a bench scoring piece with his post-ups, but if he’s on the floor with the big three, then he’d need to be comfortable shooting the 3.
That’s where Liddell has made the biggest improvements to his draft stock, though. He’s shot 40 percent on nearly four attempts from deep in his last 19 games and his free throw shooting (78.6 percent on nearly seven attempts) suggests that can be close to sustainable (likely around 37-38 percent at the high end in the NBA) going forward.
Teams are reportedly confused about where Liddell could play but I’d be interested in the Bucks taking a chance on this type of skillset and seeing how he’d fit later.
I’ve been a big advocate for the Bucks keeping that first-round pick to find a potential impact player in the mid-to-late 20s as opposed to continuing to take swings late in the second round.