Former NBA second round pick expected to join Bucks for Summer League

The NBA’s 2023 Summer League is on the horizon, and the Milwaukee Bucks are starting to put together their roster.

Per Donatas Urbonas of Basketnews, Nico Mannion of Virtus Bologna is expected to suit up for Milwaukee during their upcoming Summer League showing.

Former NBA second round pick expected to join Bucks for Summer League

Mannion was a second round pick of the Golden State Warriors in the 2020 NBA Draft. He played 30 games for the Warriors in 2020-21, having averaged 4.1 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 rebounds in 12.1 minutes per contest. After his lone NBA season, Mannion went overseas, but it appears he is looking to make a comeback this summer.

Adding Mannion to the Summer League roster makes sense for the Bucks. The guard is coming off one of his best showings overseas, having averaged 10.5 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.9 rebounds for Virtus Bologna in 26 appearances. The Bucks can get a better look at the guard in Summer League to see if they can potentially unearth some of that untapped NBA talent.

The point guard position is also a very interesting element of the Bucks’ off-season plans, as there is no telling what may happen with Jevon Carter, who has a player option coming up. If Carter hits the road in free agency, the team would need to find a new backup to Jrue Holiday. Mannion is not a home run replacement by any means, but it’s an option worth looking into at the bare minimum.

At 22 years old, Mannion has plenty of development to go through in his game. The Bucks, whose roster was the oldest in the league this past season, need to bring in youth, and Mannion would fit the billing. Outside of MarJon Beauchamp and A.J. Green, this roster has very few players who are viewed as developmental projects, but Mannion would be another.

At the bare minimum, Mannion will reportedly suit up for the Bucks during Summer League in the coming months. That does not guarantee him a roster spot next season, but if he turns heads, he could very well stick with the Bucks heading into next season. It will be interesting to see who else the team adds to their Summer League roster moving forward.

Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.