In 2024, the Milwaukee Bucks made the puzzling decision to draft the incredibly raw AJ Johnson over more polished prospects. Now, two years later, the Bucks are projected to make the puzzling decision to draft the incredibly raw Nate Ament over more polished prospects. Most mock drafts, including a fresh one from ESPN's Jeremy Woo, have the Bucks selecting the Tennessee forward 10th overall.
AJ Johnson gamble set Bucks back mightily
Everyone was stunned when the Bucks took Johnson in the first round. Why did a team that is aiming to contend around Giannis Antetokounmpo select a raw, 19-year-old rookie who would rarely see the floor? It was especially baffling with other well-developed players like Kyshawn George, Ryan Dunn, and Terrence Shannon Jr. all still on the board.
The decision still haunts the Bucks. While George, Dunn, and Shannon have all developed into quality rotational wings elsewhere, Johnson isn't even in Milwaukee less than two years later. Realizing they didn't have time to be patient and actually develop the young guard, the Bucks traded him during his rookie season. Ouch. It's among the reasons they've been struggling over the last few years.
Now, they are potentially looking at making a similar gamble. That's pretty bold.
Nate Ament is AJ Johnson 2.0
Ament is a raw 19-year-old. There were flashes of potential sprinkled in throughout his season that was largely clouded by poor stretches. Could he become a great player? Absolutely. Could also be a player who needs an organization to be patient with him before he becomes that player? Absolutely. The Milwaukee Bucks may not be that organization, given their track record of failed draft picks.
In Woo's mock, the Milwaukee Bucks pass on a handful of prospects who would fit better than Ament. Brayden Burries has a case to sit atop Milwaukee's big board. Yaxel Lendeborg feels like a contributor from day one, no matter where he lands. Cameron Carr looks like he could be the steal of the draft as his stock soars after the NBA Combine. All of those players are far safer bets than Ament.
If the Bucks were to take Ament, he would have two luxuries that Johnson never did, which may lessen the worries. First, he would have a great player development coach in Taylor Jenkins, who would not discard him like Rivers did with Johnson. Second, if Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves, the Bucks' expectations to contend shrink mightily, allowing the team to be more patient with Ament.
Still, if Woo's mock is how the NBA Draft plays out, the Milwaukee Bucks will certainly be in hot water after taking yet another project player despite a track record of struggling to unearth them.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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