For years now, the Milwaukee Bucks have suffered from swinging and missing on almost all of their draft picks. With the roster nearly filled out and rotations likely to feature the more experienced names, it's unlikely that this draft curse that has loomed over this franchise like a black cloud will come to an end next season.
Bucks likely won't get much support from draft picks next season
Four recent draft selections for the Milwaukee Bucks include Andre Jackson Jr., Chris Livingston, Tyler Smith, and Bogoljub Markovic. None of those players will likely see significant time under the watchful eye of Doc Rivers next season. Rivers relied on youth to a degree last season, but doing so with any of these names seems far-fetched.
Jackson was a starter for a good chunk of last season, but Rivers pulled the plug once Kyle Kuzma landed in town, sending the youngster to the bench for good. Now, Jackson's place on the opening night roster isn't even certain, as his contract isn't guaranteed. Livingston did get a new deal earlier this summer, but he's still so raw, so it would be surprising if Rivers called upon him.
Smith spent most of last season in the G League, and he's likely to be there again this coming year, especially with a frontcourt rotation that already contains Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, and Jericho Sims. The same goes for Markovic, who is already set to spend next season playing overseas as he looks to further develop his game.
Unless there are injuries or absences, there just isn't much room in the rotation right now for any of these youngsters. With that, this long-running curse likely won't end anytime soon.
This isn't necessarily to say that these were all bad picks. On paper, they all make some sort of sense. Jackson and Livingston are athletic wings, something this team badly needs and certainly needed in 2023 when they were selected. Smith and Markovic are potential-filled forwards who fit in with the modern mold of big man.
The potential was (and still is) there for these players to grow into contributors, but development just hasn't been a strong suit for the Milwaukee Bucks over the years. For a franchise looking to contend with a superstar, it's hard to develop young talent simultaneously. The Bucks have clearly shown they want to contend above all else, even if it means sacrificing some development of their youth.
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