In his latest mock draft for The Athletic, Sam Vecenie has the Milwaukee Bucks taking electric guard Sion James with the 47th overall pick. Known for his high-octane play at Duke, James could make a name for himself at the next level, especially in Milwaukee, by simply doing all of the little things that he did at the collegiate level.
The aging Bucks need hustle, speed, defense and much more
What stands out the most about James is his physical profile. At 6-foot-6, 220 lbs, James boasts an impressive frame that allows him to play tough defense, serving as a massive obstacle for opposing guards and wings. He's the definition of versatile and gives 110 percent effort on every possession. The Bucks could also use another stout defender, especially one who can take on quicker guards.
James does much more than just play defense. In fact, he does a little bit of everything. Offensively, he'll never be the primary shot creator for any franchise, but he was an excellent shooter this season, sinking 41.3 percent of his triple tries. He's also got a knack for passing, finding open teammates to make the right play consistently, while being an incredibly persistent rebounder.
Consistently this past season, it was clear that the Milwaukee Bucks played some of their best ball when they relied on their youth. The young players simply changed the tone when they checked in over some of the veterans by getting out in transition, fighting for boards, diving for loose balls and plenty of other stat-sheet-stuffing plays. Sion James could help them build upon that trend.
In a draft class that is full of fifth-year college players who may be ready to contribute at the NBA level sooner rather than later, James stands out among the crowd. If the 22-year-old is on the board when it's time for the Milwaukee Bucks to make their pick, he'd be a justifiable addition to a team that needs more of everything he brings to the table.
Furthermore, the Milwaukee Bucks have plenty of uncertainty in the backcourt heading into the NBA offseason. Damian Lillard will miss a sizeable chunk of next season with his Achilles tendon tear, while Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins can all hit free agency. Drafting a center would be one reasonable avenue, but taking a young guard could end up being just as important to add depth.
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