The Milwaukee Bucks officially hold the 23rd and 33rd picks in the upcoming 2024 NBA draft and are in a crucial spot to address their need for overall roster depth — a need that was flat-out exposed in their recent first-round exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers.
While trading the picks for more NBA-ready veterans who could help Milwaukee win now would be a fine move, using the picks and developing from within to bolster their title hopes while still building for the future should still be on the table for general manager Jon Horst.
While the top prospects garner the headlines, the 2024 NBA Draft holds hidden gems – under-the-radar talents with the potential to blossom into key contributors. These dark horses, overlooked by some, possess skill sets that perfectly complement the Bucks' championship core. Let's look at a few of these draft-day wildcards, their skill sets and the potential impact they could have on the Bucks' quest for continued dominance.
Yves Missi, Baylor
While flashy scorers might dominate the headlines on draft night, Yves Missi, a French wing out of Baylor, could be the under-the-radar steal the Milwaukee Bucks desperately need. According to the mock draft of The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor, he's projected to still be available around the Bucks' range.
The Bucks' championship run exposed one principal vulnerability in their roster construction thus far, which is extremely porous and exploitable perimeter defense at the wing position. Missi, at 6-foot-8 with a strong frame and surprising athleticism, offers immediate defensive help regardless of everything else he can do on offense.
With a demonstrably stout frame that he showed off for Baylor, he can switch assignments, guard multiple positions, and understand rotations – skills that make him a perfect fit for head coach Doc Rivers’ defensive scheme.
Even in cases where he gets beat on the perimeter, Missi boasts a high motor and excellent shot-blocking instincts. He can patrol the paint as a help defender, deter drives and clean up mistakes on the perimeter. He's just the kind of defender you need on a basketball team; think about the likes of Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels and Denver's Aaron Gordon.
While not a household name when it comes to scoring the basketball, he has intriguing potential on the other end, too. He's got a good shooting stroke and surprising athleticism, but his offensive repertoire outside of catch-and-shoot situations admittedly still needs a bit more development. This could be a gamble for the Bucks, but his defensive prowess and potential for growth make him a wild card fit.
Missi isn't a high-usage offensive player, but his skill set complements the existing core. He understands his role, hustles hard and contributes on both ends without demanding the ball. This would allow Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton to shine while Missi provides the glue that holds everything together.
Don't be fooled by Missi's lack of name recognition. At just 19 years old, Missi has a high ceiling. The Bucks can nurture his raw talent, turning him into a future defensive anchor and a reliable offensive contributor.
He's a high-character player with a winning mentality. His defensive versatility, rim protection and offensive potential make him a perfect fit for the Bucks' championship aspirations. He might not be the flashiest pick, but Missi could be the under-the-radar steal that propels Milwaukee back to the NBA Finals.