The Bucks got some pushback for passing up on Yaxel Lendeborg, but Brayden Burries is quickly vindicating their decision to take him instead. After a few great games from Lendeborg, Burries has been phenomenal in his own right during the Las Vegas Summer League, including 26 points in his most recent outing. On top of the comparable performance now, Burries is also much younger and already embracing a leading role in the Bucks' rebuild.
Brayden Burries was the right pick for Milwaukee
Lendeborg rightfully got a lot of hype as one of the best players in the NCAA last season, but Burries made more sense for the Bucks following their trade of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. Perhaps the most important piece of the puzzle is age; Burries is nearly 3 years younger than Lendeborg so he will have much more room to grow in the NBA. Lendeborg, on the other hand, is the same age as many players from the 2022 Draft, who are now entering their second contract in the league.
But age aside, Burries is also showing his value already in the summer league. He has shown tremendous off-ball prowess as a lethal scorer and made life easier for his teammates. Other young Bucks have been able to shine alongside Burries because of his complementary skillset.
With the Bucks entering a full-on rebuild, it's important for them to draft players who can grow into top talent one day but also support their teammates along the way. Burries isn't the only young guard looking to develop in Milwaukee this season, but he immediately enters the team as arguably the most talented. His summer league performances have been impressive so far, with efficient scoring from all levels and strong two-way play at the shooting guard position.
The Bucks should have no regrets about Burries yet
Summer league is typically too early to accurately gauge a player's career trajectory, but Burries is already showing promising flashes. The Bucks likely envision him as a long-term backcourt mate to Ryan Rollins if everything goes well, and Burries is showing the vision by shooting lights out and attacking closeouts effectively. Unlike many other top picks, Burries is dominating summer league without taking over the ball; instead, he's calmly playing within the flow of good team offense.
Burries also hasn't shown any glaring weaknesses in summer league, which can sometimes be the most telling part of a player's Las Vegas experience. Top picks are often targeted for their clear shortcomings, such as defensive liabilities for some small guard. But Burries has given the Bucks nothing to make them worry. For now, he seems like a very solid choice for Milwaukee with the 10th overall pick.
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