It was expected to be a rather quiet night for the Milwaukee Bucks, who held just the final pick of the night in the 2023 NBA Draft.
However, things quickly got interesting as they made a draft day trade with the Orlando Magic to acquire the 36th overall pick while also keeping 58. In addition to their selections, the Bucks also latched onto a pair of interesting undrafted free agents. While nothing seismic took place, it was a good night for the Bucks, as they added some exciting young pieces. With that said, let us look at a trio of takeaways from Milwaukee’s draft night haul.
No 1. – The Milwaukee Bucks clearly wanted more experienced prospects who may be NBA ready
Excluding Chris Livingston, who the Bucks took with their final pick, every other player Milwaukee added played at least three years collegiately. Andre Jackson Jr. played three years at UConn, while Omari Moore and Drew Timme each played four years at their respective colleges. There’s a major reason why the Bucks specifically went after players like this as they look to shape their roster for next year and beyond.
Milwaukee going after more seasoned collegiate players signals that they are of the mindset that they could possibly make an impact sooner rather than later. There’s a notion that those who play collegiately for three or four years bring more experience and translate faster to the league due to their added time at the college level. It’s not always the case, as not every player who fits the mold is destined to pan out, but it seems like the Bucks think these picks could help them out.
Rather than developing projects, the Bucks clearly wanted to bring in some pieces who could be of use quickly next season if Coach Adrian Griffin calls their name.
No. 2 – The Milwaukee Bucks clearly had a type heading into the 2023 NBA Draft
In a league that is becoming so wing heavy, it was no secret that the Milwaukee Bucks could use a few more players at the position. With Joe Ingles, Jae Crowder, and Wesley Matthews all set to hit free agency, the team was facing a depleted depth chart, but they certainly stocked up on it after the 2023 NBA Draft.
Jackson, Livingston, and Moore are all 6-foot-6 wings. Timme, a 6-foot-10 forward, breaks the mold here, but the idea is still crystal clear with those other three. Not only did the Bucks check off a major box on their off-season to-do list with three more wings, but they also added more youth and athleticism. These three players are incredible athletes and can jump out of the gym. It was as clear as day that Milwaukee lacked athleticism this past season, and these three can help change that next season. Those post-practice dunk contests will undoubtedly be must-see television.
During the past few years, Milwaukee has struggled with a lack of size on the wing. Outside of basically Khris Middleton, every rotational wing player the Bucks had was under 6-foot-5. Now, they have a trio of 6-foot-6 wings who can give the team some much-needed height and length. When there is a top-notch wing scorer in town, the Bucks now have an opportunity to match them up with a taller player rather than facing a size disadvantage like they oftentimes have in recent memory, especially in the postseason.
It’s wonderful to see General Manager Jon Horst address such a glaring hole for the Bucks.
No. 3 – The Milwaukee Bucks understand the roster’s need for youth and will put Adrian Griffin’s player development skills to the test
There were concerns with the Milwaukee Bucks this past season regarding the age of the roster, which was the oldest in the NBA. Indeed, it ultimately came back to bite them in the playoffs, as the Miami Heat’s youth, athleticism, and energy were too much for Milwaukee, even in the games where Giannis Antetokounmpo played.
After that debacle, it was clear the team needed youth on its roster, especially with a new head coach like Adrian Griffin, who has a very strong track record when it comes to developing young players into quality pieces or sometimes stars. The Bucks will put Griffin’s skills to the test very quickly with these new players, as they all have the tools to become consistent contributors. For a team like the Bucks with limited avenues to improve its aging roster, developing youth will be an essential task, and they seemingly understand that completely.
Jackson is certainly the most captivating, as he brings scoring, playmaking, rebounding, tough defense, and athleticism to the court at all times. Some fans have said he could be Milwaukee’s Draymond Green due to his do it all ability, and while that’s pretty lofty, it makes sense. It would not be overly surprising if the youngster saw some legitimate time next season, as he could be a Swiss Army Knife off of the Milwaukee Bucks’ bench.
Livingston, Moore, and Timme are long shots compared to Jackson, but they still have attributes that make them compelling. Livingston could provide tenacious rebounding and solid defense on the wing. Moore could serve as a second-unit sparkplug offensively, as he was a scoring machine at San Jose State. Timme is the longest shot of them all, as his fit with the Bucks is very much unconventional, but he’s got the tools to be a strong player. He’ll likely kickstart his NBA career with the Wisconsin Herd of the G-League as the team looks to develop him.
Under Coach Adrian Griffin’s guidance, the sky is the limit for the development of these players.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis on the team’s newest players and more.