With limited draft picks and a significant amount of money on the hook due to Damian Lillard over the next several years, the Milwaukee Bucks must get creative in adding talent. One such avenue always worth exploring is scouting overseas talent, looking for players who may be ready to make the leap to - or back to - the NBA. One such player is Isaac Bonga.
The Bucks must closely watch forward dazzling at EuroBasket
Milwaukee is always on the hunt for versatile, defensive-minded forwards. That should be cranked up to the max currently, with the roster lacking a clear direction at small forward. Bonga wouldn't be their magic fix, but with everything he's showing at EuroBasket, there's a chance that he could be of use to any team.
In eight games, the forward, playing for Germany, is averaging 8.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, two assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 37 percent from deep. Bonga has been a quality Swiss Army Knife, showing no task is too much for him. Particularly, the defense has stood out, with the 6-foot-8 forward showing impressive versatility.
Bonga would fit in perfectly with the Milwaukee Bucks. He has the tools to be a wing defender who can also switch onto other players of all shapes and sizes. Offensively, if his EuroBasket perimeter shot is legitimate, he could be a nice floor spacer for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Still just 25 years old, Bonga would fit in well with Milwaukee's recent youth overhaul.
Currently, there isn't room for Bonga on Milwaukee's roster. They still need to make room for fellow small forward Amir Coffey if they want to keep him. However, if he goes unsigned after EuroBasket, the forward must remain on their radar. If the small forward question mark persists, calling Bonga down the line could be a low-risk move for the Milwaukee Bucks to potentially explore.
Isaac Bonga could go down the same route as Guerschon Yabusele. After last playing in the NBA back in 2018-19, Yabusele returned to the league this past season following a lengthy overseas stint and impressed. He was a highly coveted free agent target this summer, with Milwaukee even being among the teams showing interest. Bonga could certainly find himself in those shoes in time.
Bonga last played in the NBA in 2021-22. With four years of NBA experience, the forward is no longer a raw, unheard-of prospect. Yet, he may be a hidden gem just waiting for someone to take a chance on him, just like Yabusele was. With his strong showing at EuroBasket, teams are doing homework.
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