According to Spotrac's Keith Smith, the Milwaukee Bucks are among the teams set to have a workout with UConn draft prospect Samson Johnson. The four-year collegiate big man is known for athletic ability, endless motor, and defensive effort. All season long, it was crystal clear Milwaukee needed to get more athletic in the frontcourt, and that remains true heading into a crucial NBA offseason.
There's a lot to like about Samson Johnson's potential fit in Milwaukee
In his first full college season as a starter, Johnson averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and a steal per game while shooting 76.6 percent from the floor. Those numbers might not jump off the page at first glance, but there's a potential-filled player in there who boasts things that might not always show up on the stat sheet.
At 6-foot-10, Johnson is incredibly athletic, allowing him to move defensively or sky high to catch and throw down lobs. The lack of these attributes between Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis was apparent in 2024-25, and the Bucks tried to address it by adding Jericho Sims. When he played, Sims wasn't their needle-mover, but he gave Milwaukee a different look at center simply due to his physical traits.
With Lopez, Portis, and Sims all likely to test free agency, the Milwaukee Bucks may need to stock up on new bigs, and Johnson could be worth a look. Embracing a faster, more athletic style of play must be a priority for Milwaukee moving forward, and Samson Johnson could certainly help the cause.
One undeniable flaw with Johnson is how raw he is on the offensive end. He's not a go-to scorer, and he attempted just nine 3-pointers during his four-year run in college. He's not the typical floor spacer that the Milwaukee Bucks like to have to put next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, that doesn't mean that the two cannot coexist; Giannis and Sims were one of the team's best defensive pairings.
Samson Johnson could certainly be worth a look late in the second round or as an undrafted free agent after the draft. He already has built-in ties to the Milwaukee Bucks, as he played alongside Andre Jackson Jr. Furthermore, with four years of college under his belt, he's more experienced than others, and getting immediate help rather than projects should be an emphasis for the Bucks.
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