The Milwaukee Bucks haven’t maintained their first-round pick since the 2018 NBA Draft when they selected Donte DiVincenzo with the 17th overall pick. Over the last couple of years, the Bucks have moved their first-round picks to acquire high-end talent such as Jrue Holiday or to offload hefty contracts as they continue to pursue title contention.
Drafting young prospects hasn’t been the priority for this championship organization for some time now and that isn’t expected to change soon. Besides, Milwaukee hasn’t found much success through the draft for the most part in the last decade or so.
In fact, Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only first-round pick selected by the Bucks that’s still remaining on the roster. It’s safe to say that the 15th overall pick in 2013 turned out to be a pretty good one though as a two-time MVP, six-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA, five-time All-Defensive, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP, NBA Champion, and much more to come.
With the 2022 NBA Draft approaching on June 23rd, we dive into 10 intriguing prospects for the Milwaukee Bucks with the 24th overall pick.
Heading into the 2022 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks will hold the 24th overall pick. If they ultimately decide to keep the pick, there will be plenty of appealing options that would bolster the team’s outlook for both the present and future.
The Bucks should be looking for a playmaking guard, 3&D wing, or possibly another big that can preferably contribute off the bench right away entering next season. Milwaukee will be focused on enhancing its supporting cast and depth this offseason with the star trio of Antetokounmpo, Holiday, and Khris Middleton returning on contract.
Without further ado, let’s dive into ten intriguing prospects for the Milwaukee Bucks with the 24th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Milwaukee Bucks: 10 potential prospects with 24th pick in NBA Draft
Dalen Terry
School: Arizona
Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’7″
As a tall, lengthy guard with flashy athleticism, Dalen Terry has the potential to become a very productive impact player in the NBA. Terry has excellent playmaking ability offensively while his versatility and 7-foot wingspan gives him tremendous upside on the defensive end.
The 20-year-old has outstanding vision and feel with the ball in his hands, especially in pick and roll situations, and can score the ball at an efficient rate on all three levels. Consistency will be a gradual progression, but Terry has the two-way skill set to immediately earn minutes at the next level and stay productive in the league for a long time.
If Dalen Terry is still on the board when the Milwaukee Bucks are on the clock, he’d be a buzzing selection. The Bucks would value Terry’s creative playmaking, explosiveness in transition, intelligent decision-making and awareness, and ability to defend multiple positions with his long frame and intimidating length. There’s a reason why Terry is currently rising up draft boards.
Jalen Williams
School: Santa Clara
Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’6″
Jalen Williams will attract NBA teams with his silky-smooth scoring ability most of all, but his ball-handling and playmaking off isolations and screens will also help carve out a consistent role for him in the league. Williams averaged 18.0 points and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from beyond the arc last season with Santa Clara.
He’s an efficient shooter with nice touch and impressive offensive mechanics. However, the 21-year-old faced weaker competition in college and will need further development on the defensive side of the ball.
It could take time for Williams to become familiar with the NBA-style, but the Bucks should be interested in him based off his offensive abilities alone. His whole package offensively and intriguing upside could be too enticing to pass up if he’s still on the board.
Milwaukee Bucks: 10 potential prospects with 24th pick in NBA Draft
Wendell Moore Jr.
School: Duke
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’6″
Wendell Moore Jr. could be the exact type of prospect that the Milwaukee Bucks are looking for given the team’s needs. As more of a point wing, Moore is a consistent, efficient, versatile, and intelligent producer on both ends of the floor.
The 21-year-old shot 50.5 percent from the field, 40.2 percent from 3-point range, and accumulated 1.4 steals per game at Duke this past season. He’ll be a worthy defender, playmaker, and shooter at the next level.
While Moore’s active hands, quick feet, and versatility will separate himself defensively, his offense will be consistent enough in the half court and especially in transition to land him a spot in an NBA rotation. Moore will emerge as a realistic target for the Bucks in this draft.
Christian Braun
School: Kansas
Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’6″
Christian Braun is another prospect that the Milwaukee Bucks should strongly consider. As an NCAA Champion with Kansas, Braun has championship experience, a high motor, true passion, and pure competitiveness that would fit directly into the Bucks’ system and culture.
In terms of his physical skill set, the 21-year-old is an efficient shooter, undervalued finisher and playmaker, and versatile defender with sharp athleticism and feel for the game. He’s a bit similar to Grayson Allen in some ways, but struggles to create his own shot and still needs further development with the ball in his hands in the half court offensively.
Braun would be an ideal fit in Milwaukee as more of a connector like what Donte DiVincenzo was for the Bucks when at his best. Christian Braun is someone that could do all of the little things for a team and the Bucks would certainly be interested in a guy like that with a promising two-way skill set.
Milwaukee Bucks: 10 potential prospects with 24th pick in NBA Draft
Kendall Brown
School: Baylor
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’8″
If the Milwaukee Bucks prefer to upgrade its defense for the long-term outlook moving forward, Kendall Brown would be a glorious addition if he’s still on the board. Brown is an intriguing prospect that’s more than versatile on the defensive end and still just 19 years old.
He’s an exceptional athlete that will cause havoc in the league as a multi-dimensional and switchable defender and has plenty of upside on the offensive end as a cutter, roller, and catch-and-shoot threat. He’ll provide value to any team with his size, frame, and length combined with a promising, modern skill set.
Milwaukee could form elite defensive lineups with Brown in the mix while also potentially setting up more opportunities down the road with starting center Brook Lopez on an expiring contract. It would be a surprise to see Kendall Brown still available when the Bucks pick at 24, but he’d be an attractive option if he’s there.
Trevor Keels
School: Duke
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6’5″
As another projected first-round pick from Duke, Trevor Keels is a top-tier defensive prospect in the draft. He’s got the ideal strength, frame, physicality, and lateral quickness to become a menace on the defensive end.
Keels will draw similar comparisons to Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort due to the strong build and impactful defensive presence, but the 19-year-old complements his high motor and aggressiveness with strong playmaking abilities and uses his body well to penetrate toward the rim offensively. Despite not being an efficient shooter, the combo guard has the tools to make an impact on both ends of the court with room to grow.
The Bucks would know what kind of production they would be getting with Keels and could use a hard-nosed defender that can effectively guard multiple positions while also creating for others. He’s a realistic option that could easily be available by the time Milwaukee’s on the clock.
Milwaukee Bucks: 10 potential prospects with 24th pick in NBA Draft
E.J. Liddell
School: Ohio State
Position: Power Forward
Height: 6’7″
Folks, E.J. Liddell has the ideal two-way package for the modern NBA. Liddell won’t be a star in this league, but he’ll be one of those guys that should become a star in his role.
Offensively, the 21-year-old can efficiently score at all three levels whether it’s raining threes, knocking down mid-range shots, or finishing around the rim with craftiness, precision, and a smooth shooting stroke. Defensively, Liddell uses his strength, athleticism, and high IQ to disrupt plays, block shots, and protect the paint while rebounding at an impressive rate for his size.
The versatile forward has shades of Boston’s Grant Williams in him and even a bit of Draymond Green too. Even though Liddell plays the same position as superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, he’d immediately be a productive asset off the bench as a floor spacer, screener, passer, and strong defender that could also unlock essential small-ball lineups for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Malaki Branham
School: Ohio State
Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’5″
As a gifted scorer and firm defender, Malaki Branham has a high ceiling in the NBA. His development and work ethic will play a key part on how far Branham meets his potential, but the pathway for the 19-year-old wing to blossom into a dynamic star is certainly there.
He’s an efficient scorer, especially from the mid-range spots, and has an attack-first mindset. Branham isn’t the fastest guard, but he’s patient, confident, mindful, and a tough shot-maker. It may take time for him to get accustomed to the NBA, yet any team willing to take him will be betting on his upside.
The Bucks could picture him as a microwave scorer off the bench with major room for growth each year. Non-contending teams with a more long-term future approach would favor Malaki Branham the most, but Branham might be too talented for Milwaukee to pass on if he’s still on the board at 24.
Milwaukee Bucks: 10 potential prospects with 24th pick in NBA Draft
Max Christie
School: Michigan State
Position: Shooting Guard
Height: 6’5″
Max Christie is a prospect that will become a shooting threat and stable defender on the perimeter right away. The other parts of his game need structure, but Christie has a beautiful shooting form and swagger about his game.
His movement off the ball is compelling and once the 19-year-old gets a glimpse of daylight, he’s ready to let it fly from 3. He’d be an ideal fit with the Milwaukee Bucks’ system and could be utilized in a variety of offensive schemes with his movement and shooting abilities.
Christie is a projected second-round pick and pretty raw in terms of physicality, but he’s the type of player that the Bucks would be comfortable with. He’s a dark-horse first-round pick and wouldn’t be shocked if the Michigan State freshman cracks the top 30.
Andrew Nembhard
School: Gonzaga
Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’4″
Andrew Nembhard was the star of the 2022 NBA Combine after showcasing why he’s one of the top playmakers of this draft class and simply NBA-ready. Nembhard has the traditional skill set to become a solid backup point guard in the league for years to come.
His ability to create for others stands out the most with polished handles, vision, shiftiness, deceptiveness, and a high IQ. Although, he’s not much of a scoring threat and will be a decent perimeter defender.
At 22 years old, Nembhard has substantial experience and leadership qualities but doesn’t have that high of a ceiling compared to other prospects. His role should be clear in the NBA as a backup point guard. The Gonzaga product might be a reach at the 24th pick, but if the Bucks prioritize a playmaking guard in this draft or opt to trade back, Nembhard could be their guy.
It will be interesting to see what the Milwaukee Bucks do with their 2022 first round pick.