The center position has been a hot topic of discussion for the Milwaukee Bucks since their season came to a conclusion.
Brook Lopez wasn't solely at fault for Milwaukee's early postseason exit, but at 36, he is not getting any younger, and with a roster that desperately needs youth and athleticism, the team could start a search for a possible replacement. If so, one avenue could be through the 2024 NBA Draft, where the Bucks will be armed with a first and second-round selection.
Bleacher Report's latest mock draft would allow the Milwaukee Bucks to do just that, as they are projected to select Duke big man Kyle Filipowski.
Latest 2024 NBA Mock Draft has Bucks taking possible Brook Lopez replacement
Filipowski would not be a Brook Lopez clone, but he could be an interesting addition to Milwaukee's frontcourt room. Yet, there are certainly some concerns.
He's not an outstanding defender, and his negative wingspan is undoubtedly an issue in that regard. He's mobile but doesn't possess a ton of athleticism - something the Bucks need. One of the things that makes Lopez so valuable is his rim protection, and that's not something Filipowski is known for. Though he's not a liability on that end, there are question marks.
Defending in space is the big question for Kyle Filipowski in regard to his NBA Draft upside. Thought he did an outstanding job here sitting down, cutting off Pope's angles, and forcing the TO. pic.twitter.com/Ykzn3bFm7G
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) November 24, 2022
Offensively, the 6-foot-11 Filipowski has potential to become a stretch big at the next level, having hit 34.8 percent of his triples on 3.1 attempts per game this past season. Obviously, the Bucks value the floor spacing a big man can provide alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo to provide him more room to work down low on the offensive end.
On the positive side, despite his size, the big man is a strong passer and capable ball-handler, both of which could bring some versatility to Milwaukee's lineups nightly.
At 20 years old, the big man has plenty of room to grow. Perhaps he could be molded into a quality defender and outside shooter, which would be of great use to the Bucks. If the Bucks are looking for help at center, the clear choice should be Kel'el Ware, but in most mocks, he's projected to be off the board long before the team has a chance to select him.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.