The Milwaukee Bucks' draft record in the Jon Horst era has been rough, but that hasn't stopped them from finding hidden talent in other ways. Whether it's through undrafted players or free agents with a point to prove, Horst, the former Executive of the Year, has always left no stone unturned in his quest to improve Milwaukee's roster.
Bucks continue uncovering hidden gems
Where would the Milwaukee Bucks be without AJ Green and Ryan Rollins? Those two have cemented themselves as starters on this team and are having career years. Yet, it's not like either player came to Milwaukee as a highly touted prospect. The Bucks saw the potential in them, and the players had to unearth it.
Green's rise has been something straight out of a movie. Joining the Bucks on a two-way deal after going undrafted out of Northern Iowa, he knew he had to stand out if he wanted to stick around, and he certainly did. Backed by his electric shooting and defensive growth, Green has made his way onto the standard roster and looks like a core piece of this roster.
Rollins, meanwhile, had a much different path. He was drafted into the league as a second-round pick and spent time with the Warriors and Wizards. However, his NBA future seemed uncertain after an incident of accused shoplifting, which led to his release. The Bucks took a chance on him, and the youngster has been a shot in the arm, currently in the middle of a career-best season.
It doesn't stop there. Horst has found ways to bring in players like Gary Trent Jr. and Cole Anthony on team-friendly contracts. Turning back the clock even further, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, and even Pat Connaughton all came to Milwaukee initially as forgotten players who resurrected their careers with the Bucks. Teams weren't banging down the door to get them.
It's incredibly valid to criticize Horst's draft picks. One could argue that the last valuable contributor this team got from the draft was Donte DiVincenzo in 2018. Milwaukee's first and second round picks from the 2024 class aren't even on the roster just over a year later. He's never been a good drafter, but there is no denying his talent when it comes to uncovering hidden free agent gems.
Milwaukee's next potential gems are already waiting in the wings. Mark Sears, like AJ Green, is on a two-way deal after going undrafted. Johnny Davis, the former lottery pick of Washington, is on the Wisconsin Herd, Milwaukee's G League team, looking to rehab his value. If either of these two can develop into contributors to the Bucks, this tradition will remain intact.
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