Milwaukee Bucks: 5 prospects to avoid with 24th pick in 2022 NBA Draft
2. Bryce McGowens
Bryce McGowens is an enticing prospect for any team prioritizing the long-term future since the 19-year-old has a two-way skill set that could be worth betting on to grow into a productive asset at the next level. Clearly, the Milwaukee Bucks are not a rebuilding team and therefore should not be targeting options that need further development before being inserted into an NBA rotation.
McGowens is a jumbo-sized shooting guard that’s quick and can jump out of the gym. His main selling point to teams will be his athleticism. Despite that and being able to score from all three levels on the court though, he’s too inefficient for a Bucks team that needs reliable floor spacers.
The Nebraska product is way too raw to help out a title-contending team at the moment and it may take him a couple of years to earn significant minutes in the league depending on where he ends up. Bryce McGowens shouldn’t be the type of guy that the Bucks value in this draft.
3. Walker Kessler
As a 7-foot center, Auburn’s Walker Kessler is a shot-blocking machine. Obviously, his height and length make it easy for him to cleanse the paint, but he’ll face more challenges against stronger competition in the league that will limit his strengths.
The 20-year-old can serve as a productive defensive anchor in the league, but has a skinny frame, lacks strength, and won’t be much of a threat offensively against more physical bigs in the NBA. Kessler is capable of shooting 3’s, but isn’t likely to be an efficient shooter from outside the paint.
Walker Kessler wouldn’t be worth selecting with the 24th pick in the draft when the Bucks can find a veteran minimum contract center that could give them better front court depth. Milwaukee already has three rotation guys at center with Brook Lopez, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bobby Portis (assuming he re-signs) anyway. Lopez is on an expiring contract and the Bucks could be looking to replace the veteran center at some point, but Kessler isn’t worth taking with this pick.