The Milwaukee Bucks could absolutely benefit from taking a center in the 2025 NBA Draft, but only if they are mobile, athletic, and can stretch their defense out beyond the hoop. Rocco Zikarsky, who the Bucks select in Bleacher Report's latest mock draft, does not fit that mold. The selection wouldn't be justifiable, especially with the handful of compelling names Milwaukee would leave on the table.
The Milwaukee Bucks should look elsewhere with pick 47
After having the Milwaukee Bucks select Zikarsky 47th overall, B/R has Wisconsin's John Tonje going 49th to Cleveland, Sion James going 56th to Orlando, and Micah Peavy going 57th to Orlando. Those are three wings who would make more sense in Milwaukee than Zikarsky, especially with so much chatter about Kevin Porter Jr. and Gary Trent Jr.'s futures with the Bucks.
Tonje could be a smooth second-unit shot-maker to give Milwaukee a jolt off the bench. James has a knack for doing a little bit of everything, but especially when it comes to his hustle and motor on the defensive end. Peavy is among the most versatile defenders in the entire 2025 NBA Draft, and the Milwaukee Bucks could always use another stout wing. Those three should be ahead of Zikarsky.
Zikarsky could undeniably be a nice player at the next level, as his upside is tremendous, but he does not fit the mold of what Milwaukee needs. He's a Brook Lopez archetype without the perimeter shot. Though he could be excellent at defending the interior, the towering big man may find himself in too much trouble when pulled out to the perimeter, an issue that plagued Brook Lopez in the playoffs.
If the Milwaukee Bucks are center hunting, the goal must be to get younger, faster, and more athletic. In fact, that should be the case for the entire core group around Giannis Antetokounmpo. If not, they are simply going to relive last season's issues. The NBA isn't what it was five years ago. The Bucks must find a way to adapt, and that may mean turning over a new leaf at the center spot.
Letting Lopez go in free agency, which seems like a legitimate scenario as suitors lurk, but then drafting Zikarsky would help the Bucks get younger, but the same issues would still be present.
Beyond the basketball fit, at just 18 years old, taking Zikarsky would feel like an AJ Johnson-esque gamble where the Milwaukee Bucks prioritize the future over the present.
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