Drafting has not been one of the Milwaukee Bucks' strong suits over the last several years. Whether they have taken long-term projects, win-now pieces, or someone in the middle, they simply have not managed to find a steady contributor, and the next player who will take a stab at trying to shatter this curse is small forward Chris Livingston.
One could argue that Malcolm Brogdon in 2016 was the last true successful draft pick for Milwaukee. Some players were close, such as Donte DiVincenzo, but he was ultimately derailed by injuries. To be clear, the Bucks have been very competitive since then, so they haven't had many high picks, but a hidden gem or two could have gone a long way. They are hoping Chris Livingston can be just that.
Bucks could use a Chris Livingston leap
Plenty of people were surprised when the Milwaukee Bucks and Chris Livingston reached agreement on a one-year deal after recently waiving him. It felt like they were heading separate ways. However, perhaps he boosted his stock throughout his strong Summer League showing, where he averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists while shooting 38.1 percent from deep in four matchups.
Of course, it's just the Summer League, but Livingston looked like a legitimate NBA player. Not even 22 years old yet, there's still plenty of room to grow for the young forward, and Milwaukee clearly is intent on seeing if that can happen with the franchise next year. Given the team's lack of depth at the small forward spot, with Taurean Prince being the lone true occupant, a breakout year could help.
The blueprint is there for Livingston to earn his keep. Last season, the Bucks rolled with Delon Wright, the savvy veteran, as their backup point guard until Ryan Rollins, the up-and-coming youngster, took his place due to Wright's struggles. With the Milwaukee Bucks going all in on youth, Livingston could find himself earning a similar opportunity if the veteran Prince struggles next season.
Livingston has the tools to fit right in with the Milwaukee Bucks' youth movement. He's fast, athletic, good in transition, a capable defender, and a strong outside shooter. Now, if he can show those skills at the NBA level, there's a chance this ongoing curse could finally be put to rest. It would be the ideal way to usher in this new era of youth-driven basketball around superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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