The NBA is reportedly considering expansion soon, so everyone is mocking expansion drafts to see which players the new teams could land. The new units will be looking to find a hidden gem courtesy of other teams, just like the Milwaukee Bucks did when they acquired Jon McGlocklin from the San Diego Rockets in the 1968 expansion draft.
The Bucks certainly got a good one in Jon McGlocklin
The Bucks acquired McGlocklin after his third season. It was his best year as a pro, having averaged 12.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. The team thought they were getting a solid role player, but it didn't take McGlocklin to prove he was more than that. In his first season with the Bucks, he made the All-Star Team, averaging 19.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per contest.
While he wasn't able to keep the ball rolling as an All-Star, McGlocklin remained a key contributor to Milwaukee's success, particularly during their first title run. While Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robinson usually take the lion's share of the credit (reasonably), McGlocklin held up his end of the bargain by averaging 14.9 points, the fourth-most on the team, during the title run.
McGlocklin spent eight seasons in Milwaukee, serving as a steady contributor until he retired after the 1975-76 season.
McGlocklin's time with the Bucks didn't end after playing days
After calling it a career, McGlockin joined the television booth as the Milwaukee Bucks' play-by-play commentator alongside Jim Paschke. He spent an astounding 45 years in the position and serves as a voice that is synonymous with Milwaukee Bucks basketball. Due to his contributions, McGlocklin's 14 jersey sits in the rafters and will forever be immortalized.
All of this was possible because the San Diego Rockets didn't want to protect McGlocklin in the NBA's expansion draft in 1978. Though the guard might not go down as the best player ever acquired via an expansion draft, he serves as an example that talent is indeed there if teams look hard enough. Once the two new teams are on the clock, they will certainly be looking to find their own Jon McGlocklin.
The expansion chatter has Bucks fans wondering who they will protect when the time comes. There is no doubt that Giannis Antetokounmpo will be safe, as should rising youngsters Ryan Rollins and AJ Green. After that, though, there are plenty of looming question marks.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.