The Milwaukee Bucks clearly have faith in Nate Ament, having drafted him 13th overall recently, but they likely know he needs time to develop. That's why their rumored interest in free agents Jonathan Kuminga and Peyton Watson makes plenty of sense. Ament can develop in the background while the Bucks roll out a forward who is more polished and can contribute sooner.
Ament will likely need a year or two
One of the biggest concerns with Ament coming out of college was how raw he was. At just 19, that is far from surprising. The glimpses of potential were there during his time at Tennessee, but so were an array of shortcomings. Any team that drafted him likely did not intend for him to be a rotational piece from the jump. He will absolutely be a project player.
Ament is already behind Ousmane Dieng, Kyle Kuzma, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. on the depth chart. If the Milwaukee Bucks land Watson or Kuminga, it will only further bury him. No matter the case, he'll likely serve as a "redshirt" player, scarcely playing during his rookie year. It would not be too shocking if Ament saw time in the G League with the Wisconsin Herd to get extra reps under his belt.
To be clear, none of this is a bad thing. Ament needs time; that is not a surprise. In Milwaukee's eyes, he is worth developing, and with their new youth-focused timeline, they can afford to wait it out.
Bucks' desires make contending intentions clear
The Milwaukee Bucks want to contend next season. Could they keep those lofty aspirations with their current forward rotation? Sure. Would their odds strengthen if they added one of the best young free agents left in Watson or Kuminga? Yes. Forward is currently the weakest spot on Milwaukee's roster, and another capable body could make a world of difference.
In the meantime, Ament could develop under others as he dips his toes into the NBA waters. Having a mentor like Watson or Kuminga, who are also young forwards, could help sharpen Ament as he looks to make his mark on this team in due time. Of course, it's not a guarantee the Bucks land either player, as they have to get a sign-and-trade over the line. It appears they are trying, but there are obstacles.
For now, Milwaukee's hunt for another forward rages on.
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