In Zach Buckley's new 2026 NBA Mock Draft from Bleacher Report, the Milwaukee Bucks use pick 10 to select Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg. Unlike most of the top prospects in this draft class, Lendeborg isn't 18 or 19. He's not even 20, 21, or 22. The 23-year-old forward has been around the block, and it might make him more NBA ready than some of his peers.
For years, the Milwaukee Bucks have had a finite amount of draft picks, and most of them have been used on raw prospects. Drafting players who need years to develop has always been a questionable move for a team that has one of the best players in the world in Giannis Antetokounmpo. It would be interesting to see them explore the other route for a change.
Bucks' current draft strategy has backfired
Over their past four drafts, the Bucks have selected Andre Jackson Jr., Chris Livingston, Tyler Smith, AJ Johnson, and Bogoljub Markovic. Jackson was the only player with multiple years of college under their belt. Livingston had one year. Smith was with the G League Ignite. Johnson spent a year abroad. Markovic is overseas. Only one of those players is currently on the roster. It's the experienced one.
Player development with raw prospects has not been Milwaukee's strong suit. It's been impossible to develop these pieces while also trying to contend. They just become casualties as the Bucks remain locked in on trying to field a win-now team, such as making moves like trading AJ Johnson in the Kyle Kuzma deal or Chris Livingston getting cut to sign Amir Coffey.
If contending is the goal, abandoning that formula would make plenty of sense.
Bucks could use an experienced piece under one condition
If they can work things out with Giannis Antetokounmpo, who may seek a change of scenery over the next couple of months, the Milwaukee Bucks would be wise to use their first round pick on someone ready to help now. Drafting someone who might not be ready to hit the hardwood for a few seasons could be a disaster, just like it has been over these last four drafts.
Lendeborg would make some sense for the Bucks if the Giannis partnership continues. Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma were mentioned heavily in trade rumors this past season, and if something happens in the summer, the Michigan forward would give them a two-way force who can immediately step into the rotation and play their roles (though the production may not be the same from day one).
If Giannis departs, then the prospect of taking a player who needs time to develop would make a lot more sense, as they could do so in a rebuilding environment. Before any decisions are made, clarity on Giannis' future is needed. Taking Lendeborg would be a clear-cut win-now move, which is not the way this team has operated in recent years.
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