With the NBA draft coming up, the Milwaukee Bucks have several different options they can exercise regarding their first-round pick.
Milwaukee picks 24th this year, so there will certainly be some talent available, it just depends on if they can find it. Trading the pick is another path GM Jon Horst can take, and that is not out of the picture by any means. The last true first round pick to come to Milwaukee was Donte DiVincenzo at pick 17, so keeping the pick would be nice to see. The Bucks could use a pass-first playmaking point guard to come off the bench, but I prefer that they trade for or sign for a proven playmaker to get the offense going off the bench. My hope is that Milwaukee takes advantage of the wing players that are likely to be available in the late first round. There are three players that stand out in the range the Bucks pick in, based on needs, skill, and potential. Let’s get into those options.
Best options for the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2022 NBA Draft: Christian Braun, Kansas Jayhawks
Christian Braun is a guy who could join the Milwaukee Bucks and play his role off the bat.
The 6-foot-6 shooting guard offers great athleticism, shooting, defense, and intangibles. He could be the pick that the Milwaukee Bucks were hoping to make in some of their recent draft flops. Braun averaged 14.1 points and 6.5 rebounds with the Kansas Jayhawks this past season. He did that on 49.5 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3-point range, which should certainly be captivating for the Bucks. Milwaukee is always looking to add more outside shooting, and Braun has the potential to help in that regard.
Braun also helped the Jayhawks to a hard-fought championship this April. Figuring that Milwaukee’s roster looks a little different with free agency and trades, he would be a rotation player upon arrival. The biggest upside is the two-way play of Braun. Alongside all of his offensive tools, I think Braun will prove to be a versatile defender with the ability to switch onto multiple positions. This is a guy you want in a Bucks uniform come draft night. If there is any way Milwaukee can make this happen, I think Braun is the guy to pick at 24.