Milwaukee Bucks: 5 prospects to avoid with 24th pick in 2022 NBA Draft
4. Jaden Hardy
Jaden Hardy will be a fun NBA player to watch with his explosiveness, athleticism, high energy, and offensive bag as a 6’4″ guard. However, he’s one of those guys that will need time to develop before gaining crucial minutes on a playoff-contending team.
While Hardy’s two-way abilities have high upside, he’s too inefficient to make an immediate impact coming into the league. He was once a projected lottery pick but after an inconsistent season playing for G League Ignite with abysmal shooting averages of 35.1 percent from the floor and 26.9 percent from beyond the arc, he’s falling down draft boards.
As a title-contending team, the Milwaukee Bucks shouldn’t have the patience to take a chance on Hardy. The Bucks reportedly brought him in for an in-person workout at their facility, meaning there’s at least interest in his abilities, but it’s difficult to imagine him having a key role with the team anytime soon if he was the selection. There will be better suited, more reliable options at the 24th pick.
5. Patrick Baldwin Jr.
A Wisconsin native, Patrick Baldwin Jr. chose to play his college ball at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where the 6’9″ small forward averaged 12.1 points per game on a whopping 34.4 percent shooting from the field and 26.6 percent from 3-point land across his one and only season there. He’s a talented kid offensively but was beyond inconsistent and inefficient against lower competition this past season, which is extremely concerning.
Baldwin has the proper shooting mechanics and three-level scoring ability to become a dominant offensive weapon one day, but it’s going to take a good amount of time. Any team willing to draft him should have a long-term developmental plan that will prepare him better physically on both ends of the court. Similar to other prospects, the Bucks just don’t have the time to invest in someone like that.
Heading into the 2022 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks should be targeting a versatile playmaker, two-way wing, or efficient stretch four that can produce right away while also offering visionary room for growth moving forward.
It’ll be interesting to see which route the Bucks take with the 24th pick as the draft approaches on the night of June 23rd.