The 2025 NBA Draft is coming up, and despite picking 47th, the Milwaukee Bucks haven't exactly brought in an assortment of different prospects. Per HoopsHype's workout tracker, Milwaukee has worked out only two players within the top 50 ranked prospects, which could lead to a repeat of last season when they added two rookies who were absent from their pre-draft workout list.
The Milwaukee Bucks could be keeping things under wraps
Not only were the additions of AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith surprising because they were both 19 and didn't fit seamlessly in Milwaukee's win-now timeline, but also because neither player was registered as being on the workout list. The Bucks are known to work behind the scenes on picks, trades, and free agent signings, and the same strategy could happen this year.
To be clear, HoopsHype's list doesn't catch everything. The Milwaukee Bucks could very well have a few workouts underway that haven't yet been clocked. Yet, it's interesting that the draft is days away and Hansen Yang and Hunter Sallis are the only two top-50 ranked prospects they've taken a closer look at. Perhaps they are plotting a surprise that leaves fans stunned like last year.
It also wouldn't be too shocking if the Milwaukee Bucks ended up trading the pick in some sort of bigger move. Milwaukee is rumored to be taking an aggressive mindset, as they typically do, into the offseason, so it wouldn't be too shocking if they made some form of draft-night deal to land an impact player that forced them to cough up the pick.
Trading out would make some sense, as the Milwaukee Bucks have worked out nearly two dozen unranked prospects leading up to the draft, with more to follow in the coming days. If they were to move out of 47, they would still have a chance to add some talent that way. They could certainly use it, especially if they find themselves another AJ Green.
No one knows what the Milwaukee Bucks are plotting. Perhaps they've locked in on a prospect they love and want to keep it close to the chest. Perhaps they already have a trade lined up to move out of the draft. Perhaps they want to trade up. Only time will tell, but the approach they are taking could be just like last season if they remain 47th on the draft board.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.