After being taken 24th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2022 NBA Draft, there are certainly high expectations for MarJon Beauchamp next season.
Two issues that plagued the team last season were a lack of wing depth and not too much reliable youth, both of which Beauchamp will help change on impact. Due to those factors and many more, the Bucks are incredibly high on the 21-year-old wing’s potential, and there is likely a role waiting for him on opening night next season. Beauchamp could be a significant piece for the Bucks during the 2022-23 season, and here are three bold predictions for his upcoming rookie campaign as he looks to make a name for himself in the NBA.
Bold Prediction No. 1: MarJon Beauchamp will make an All-Rookie team with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022-23
Every year, 10 first-year players are named to All-Rookie teams. There are five players on the first team and five on the second team, all being rewarded due to their strong play during their rookie campaigns. Due to how prominent of a role he may play from day one with the Milwaukee Bucks, MarJon Beauchamp has the potential to be one of the top 10 rookies next year and earn a spot on one of the two teams following the 2022-23 NBA season.
First and foremost, earning All-Rookie honors would be quite the accomplishment for the young wing, given the company he would join. Since 2010, Milwaukee has drafted a mere two All-Rookie honorees, those being Giannis Antetokounmpo and Malcolm Brogdon. Over the years, the Bucks have not managed to produce much young talent aside from those two players, but Beauchamp has what it takes to break that mold. The 21-year-old’s potential is through the roof, and the team will aim to get him involved from the jump next season.
The rookie should play a sizeable enough role to get legitimate consideration for a spot on one of the All-Rookie teams if he ultimately lives up to expectations.
Bold Prediction No. 2: MarJon Beauchamp will shoot north of 38 percent from long range during his rookie season with the Milwaukee Bucks
From the moment MarJon Beauchamp was drafted, the questions started pouring in regarding his long range shot. The 21-year-old shot just 24.2 percent from 3-point land during his lone season with the G-Leauge Ignite, which is less than stellar for a Milwaukee Bucks team that relies heavily on perimeter shooting. Nevertheless, despite how poorly he shot the long ball with the Ignite, the rookie could potentially flip the script with the Bucks next season. Throwing out bold predictions, Beauchamp could shoot somewhere above 38 percent from deep during his rookie year.
While it is an even smaller sample size than his G-League sample, Beauchamp looked impressive during the Summer Leauge, having shot 11-of-24 (45.8 percent) from distance in five matchups. Beauchamp’s 11 3-point makes were more than he made during his entire 12-game stint in the G-Leauge, where he knocked down eight. Despite the Summer League not being the end all be all performance-wise, it was still eye-catching to see how stellar the wing shot the ball. Beauchamp looked comfortable and confident when he let it fly each and every time, which will be crucial at the next level.
With the Bucks, coach Mike Budenholzer will look to provide Beauchamp with some confidence by giving him the green light from deep. He will likely find himself spotting up in the corner often, and as evidenced by his Summer League performance, Beauchamp is more than comfortable letting it fly from there. As most players do, Beauchamp should get his share of open looks from long range when he shares the floor with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and others, which should only help him build confidence with better looks.
Beauchamp’s long range shot will be a significant factor in his success with the Bucks next season, which he knows. Due to that importance, Beauchamp will likely work endlessly on that shot during the remaining offseason, which could pave the way for him to shoot north of 38 percent from long distance in his upcoming rookie campaign.
Bold Prediction No. 3: MarJon Beauchamp will find himself starting full-time for the Milwaukee Bucks at some point next season
While it is clear that MarJon Beauchamp will get minutes for the Milwaukee Bucks next season, it is unclear how those minutes will come. The likeliest scenario is that the rookie starts the season as a reserve, but some have clamored for him to be Milwaukee’s starting two guard on opening night next season. Though the latter is not impossible, Beauchamp would undoubtedly have to dazzle in training camp and the preseason to earn the nod. Whether or not he earns the spot right away, Beauchamp could very well be starting full-time at some point next season.
Beauchamp has the tools to fit in with Milwaukee’s other starters. Defensively, the 6-foot-6 wing would add another strong player to the mix alongside other reputable defenders, helping sharpen the team’s already stellar defensive efforts. Offensively, those questions about Beauchamp’s shot still linger, but if he can hit on that bold prediction and shoot above 38 percent on a solid volume, he will fit like a glove alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and others.
Ultimately, how well Beauchamp performs defensively may be the determining factor in how soon he might be a starter. Coach Mike Budenholzer is not afraid to shake up his starting lineups, which he showed when he swapped out Grayson Allen, who was having his best season to date at that point, for Wesley Matthews ahead of last year’s playoffs to bring in a better defensive player at the shooting guard position. If Beauchamp does not start the year at shooting guard, perhaps he could work his way into the lineup if he shines defensively throughout the regular season.
Expectations surrounding 21-year-old MarJon Beauchamp are high heading into his rookie season with the Milwaukee Bucks, and hopefully he delivers on some of these predictions.