The Milwaukee Bucks need as many versatile defenders, especially athletic ones, as they can get their hands on this offseason. They've already started the process of scouting some, setting up or having workouts with a handful of prospects ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. The latest three names they've got their eye on check off those boxes.
Bucks' latest workouts make it clear what they're looking for
The three newest names added to the Bucks' pre-draft workout list, per HoopsHype, are TJ Bamba, A.J. Hoggard, and Coleman Hawkins.
Bamba is coming off a tremendous defensive season with the Ducks, earning a Big Ten All-Defense nod while finishing as a finalist for the Lefty Driesell Award, which goes to the top defensive player in D1. He racked up an impressive 1.8 steals per game this past season, a testament to his pesky play on the defensive end. The 6-foot-5, 208 lb guard has the build to be a successful versatile defender at the next level, especially with his athletic ability.
Speaking of builds, Hoggard has a fascinating one. Despite standing at 6-foot-3, he weighs in at 220 lbs, giving him a bulky frame to match up with players of all different shapes and sizes. In today's NBA, smaller guards get a bad rap due to their ability to be picked on defensively, but Hoggard's hulking frame may help him overcome that. Averaging 1.2 steals per game this past season, he's a pest when it comes to generating more opportunities off the other team's mistakes.
Hawkins stands tall at 6-foot-10 and gathers "stocks" at an insanely high level, averaging 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks per game this past season. At just 200 lbs, Hawkins doesn't have the brute stature of other bigs, but he uses that to his advantage, moving well on the perimeter and at the hoop. That type of versatile defensive capabilities will help him at the next level, especially if he lands with a team like the Milwaukee Bucks, who badly need defensive versatility in the frontcourt.
While all three have exceptional defensive potential, they all have their issues on offense. Bamba shot just 38.9 percent from the floor this past season. Hoggard was at just 35.2 percent. Hawkins, despite his height, was 40.1 percent. There are two sides to basketball, so these numbers are undoubtedly at least a little concerning. None of these three will likely get drafted, so if the Milwaukee Bucks pick them up from the undrafted pool, it would be far less risky.
It's clear that the Milwaukee Bucks want more versatile athletes on the defensive side of the ball on this roster by the time next season starts, and for good reason.
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