Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Could Omari Moore be a hidden gem?

After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, four-year San Jose Spartan Omari Moore inked a two-way deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Moore will now look to carve out a name for himself with the Milwaukee Bucks and aim to get a standard deal at some point.

Age: 23 (Birthday is September 18)

Position: Shooting guard

2023-24 Salary:

NBA Experience: N/A

Last Season’s Stats: N/A

Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Could Omari Moore be a hidden gem?

It’s easy to understand why the Bucks wasted no time picking up Moore after the draft. The team has been adding to their wing depth all off-season, and the 6-foot-6 Moore fit the mold. However, on top of just simply being a 6-foot-6 wing, the 22-year-old has some interesting attributes that could make him a useful piece for the Bucks.

Interestingly enough, General Manager Jon Horst, who sat down with The Athletic’s Eric Nehm for an interview this off-season (Subscription required), stated that he believes Moore could provide the Bucks with help at the backup point guard position. Of course, the Bucks do not have a backup point guard on a standard deal, so they roll with some unconventional ball-handlers next season.

Moore is not a traditional point guard, but he could shoulder ball-handling responsibilities if asked. While his strongest attribute is his scoring, Moore was a nice facilitator in college as well, as he put up 3.7 assists per contest throughout his four-year run. If the Bucks opt not to add a backup point guard before the season, Moore’s NBA career could see him start as a makeshift point guard.

As mentioned, Moore’s mostly known for his scoring. During his final two years at San Jose State, Moore averaged 15.5 points while shooting 36.4 percent from three. For a while, the Bucks have lacked a genuine scoring threat and shot creator off of the bench. While Moore might not be the clear-cut solution, perhaps he could provide his share of points when given the opportunity.

Ultimately, despite Horst’s comments and the team’s need for another ball-handler, Moore will likely not see an overly prominent role with Milwaukee. He will likely spend most of his time in Oshkosh with the Wisconsin Herd while also getting called up to the Milwaukee Bucks here and there. His time with the Herd could help Moore get good reps and develop his overall game.

In the Summer League, Moore didn’t play much, but he put out interesting tape during the team’s finale against the Sacramento Kings. Rather than stuffing the stat sheet with points, it was a good effort on the defensive end that caught everyone’s attention, as Moore logged five steals. He’s got the size and length to be a pest on that end. He could become a nice two-way player in time.

Even if Moore doesn’t burst onto the scene this season, he’s still a fascinating addition. He has the potential to become a very nice piece moving forward, but there will likely be some growing pains early on. As an undrafted rookie, Moore will not be a difference maker in 2023-24, but he could be a hidden gem signing who becomes a contributor down the line.

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