Bucks' Kyshawn George mistake should serve as painful draft lesson

Selecting AJ Johnson with the 23rd pick of the 2024 NBA draft did not work out in the Milwaukee Bucks' favor. The rookie guard appeared in seven games before departing at the trade deadline. Meanwhile, the 24th pick that year, Wizards forward Ky'Shawn George, has blossomed into a potential All-Star. 

Passing on George was a blunder. The Bucks can't afford to make the same mistake with the 10th overall pick in 2026 by dismissing Baylor guard Cameron Carr.

Bucks must consider Carr carefully to avoid bitter deja vu

A prime candidate to become a draft-day steal, Carr profiles similarly to George as an athletic wing who can do a bit of everything. The difference is that Carr can also do quite a bit more of it than what even George promised as a prospect coming out of Miami. 

Carr barely played in two years at Tennessee due to injuries and limited minutes. In his first season at Baylor, the 6-foot-5 wing erupted for 18.9 points on 49.4/37.4/80.1 shooting splits. Add 5.8 boards per game, 1.3 blocks, 2.6 assists, and 0.9 steals.

Carr is a two-way menace, a high-volume marksman, and aggressive getting to the rim. And this kid has hops. 

The Bucks should take notice of Carr's highlight-reel dunks and blocked shots. While he might not be their first choice over Arizona guard Brayden Burries, what if Burries is gone? 

Rather than evaluating only the more popular prospects in Milwaukee's range, a pool that includes Alabama's Labaron Philon Jr., Tennessee forward Nate Ament, and Michigan center Aday Mara, the Bucks should give Carr his due consideration. 

Carr's two-way athleticism provides strong argument in his favor

Good news: the Bucks met with Carr at the NBA draft combine, indicating a degree of interest they would be wise to maintain. There is an argument for Carr as a top two option if Milwaukee stays put at No. 10. 

Yes, the Bucks need a point guard, or at least a combo guard who can run the point, but Carr's athletic gifts are undeniable. While he is less of a facilitator than Philon or even Louisville's Mikel Brown Jr., he is a potent playmaker on both ends of the floor. Milwaukee should prioritize two-way ability in the backcourt as much as any other aspect in a prospect's game.

The Bucks learned last season that one-sided guards have a hard time surviving in the modern NBA. Cameron Thomas went bust, and so did Cole Anthony. Undrafted free agent Mark Sears was an exciting idea for a while, but he seems more like a G-League star than a future NBA starter. 

Of course, a guard prospect available at No. 10 in the 2026 draft will enter the league with higher stock than any of the names above. Highlighting their failed stints with the Bucks last season only serves as a juxtaposition to the magic Milwaukee found between Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. as a dynamic defensive duo. Likewise, Carr's vertical explosiveness and length (he has a 7-foot-1 wingspan) make him a handful on the defensive end.

He's not a guy many people are talking about as a potential Bucks pick, but don't rule him out. The Bucks ultimately did that with George, overlooking his athleticism, positional versatility, and all-around playmaking to draft Johnson instead. They'll be kicking themselves if they do the same with Carr. 

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow