Despite making it crystal clear that they are all-in now, the Milwaukee Bucks have selected project player after project player over the last couple of NBA Drafts. It has—obviously—not worked out. In the newest 2026 NBA Mock Draft from FanSided, the Bucks finally push that philosophy to the side to select Thomas Haugh, an experienced junior from Florida.
Bucks ditch old line of thinking for a more experienced player
A 6-foot-9 forward, Haugh has made his mark with his energy and versatility. Right off the bat, he is an energizer every time he steps on the floor by fighting for boards, running in transition, and doing all of the little things the Gators currently love. Defensively, he's long and switchable, making him a quality defender against an assortment of positions.
Statistically, the numbers are eye-catching. After averaging 9.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game during his sophomore season, the versatile forward is up to 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists this season. There is still plenty of basketball left to play, but Haugh's ascension this year already has him rising up on mock draft boards.
On paper, there is a lot to like about Haugh's fit in Milwaukee. They could use a high-upside forward who can come into the NBA ready to make a defensive impact. His tenacity on the glass is also an incredibly valuable attribute the Bucks would love to have right now, as they continue to struggle to haul in rebounds. With his experience, he may be ready to contribute sooner rather than later.
Yet, there are also concerns, mainly with the fit offensively. It's no secret that the Milwaukee Bucks have always prioritized putting outside shooting around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Haugh is shooting just 30.8 percent from deep this season and 31.3 percent from deep overall in his college career. He has time to prove he can shoot it, but if this keeps up, it makes him a harder sell for Milwaukee.
In addition to seeing how the rest of Hugh's season goes, the Milwaukee Bucks also have to see how things shake out in their own frontcourt. Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma are two of the most mentioned Bucks in trade discussions, and for good reason. If the Bucks lose one or both of them, it opens up a clear need for another big body, and Haugh could instantly slot in.
Whether it ends up being Haugh or not, it's time for the Milwaukee Bucks to do away with project players for the time being if the goal is to win now. Within the past year, they've cut ties with all of Chris Livingston, AJ Johnson, and Tyler Smith while stashing Bogoljub Markovic overseas for who knows how long. Those are picks that could have been used on win-now pieces.
Maybe their next pick will be.
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