Rumors: Milwaukee Bucks have explored moving up in 2023 NBA Draft
By Dalton Sell
As it stands, the Milwaukee Bucks hold the 58th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, which will be the final pick of the second round.
Although there are some very intriguing names that could be available for the Bucks at that spot, the team reportedly wants to explore more high-profile options. According to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie (Subscription required), Milwaukee, Phoenix, and Cleveland have explored opportunities to move up into the late 20s or early 30s. He cites the surplus of wings and NBA-ready players as to why these teams are looking to move up, which is justifiable.
Rumors: Milwaukee Bucks have explored moving up in 2023 NBA Draft
This news is certainly interesting. With players like Jae Crowder, Wesley Matthews, and Joe Ingles all set to hit free agency, it’s no secret that the Bucks could use some depth on the wing. They are also in need of some youth after having the oldest roster in the association this past season. The team trading up and getting a wing in the draft could knock out two birds with one stone.
A few names Milwaukee could be eyeing are Brandin Podziemski, Rayan Rupert, Ben Sheppard, Andre Jackson, or Max Lewis, who are all slated to go between 28-36 in Vecenie’s mock draft. Yet, this draft seems to feature no shortage of wings, so the Bucks could very well have their eyes on another promising player. Only Jon Horst and the front office know the answer to that now.
It would be interesting to see what a trade would look like for the Bucks if they do plan to move up in this draft, given their limited assets. They do have a first rounder in 2029 that they could swap with another team, but that’s quite a gamble, given just how far out that is. Yet, if they truly like a player, it’s something they very well may consider. Their second round pick collection took a hit last season after the team traded five of them for Jae Crowder, but they’ve still got a few to use.
Between this and the Bradley Beal trade rumors, the Bucks clearly have big plans this summer.
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Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis and rumors leading up to the 2023 NBA Draft.