It has just been over a month since the NBA Draft, where the Milwaukee Bucks added two 19-year-old talents to a roster that was in desperate need of getting younger. AJ Johnson was a shock pick in the first-round, and the second-round saw the Bucks add forward Tyler Smith from the G-League Ignite.
He brings much needed athleticism and mobility to the ageing Milwaukee roster, possessing a fluidity to his game that is different to the other frontcourt players the Bucks already have. At 6-foot-9, he adds versatility and allows Doc Rivers to try various combinations of lineups to outwit opponents.
Why Milwaukee Bucks fans should be excited about Tyler Smith
In 27 games with the Ignite, Smith averaged a solid 13.4 points and five rebounds on shooting splits of .476/.364/.725. The ability to stretch the floor and shoot consistently is another desirable attribute of his that he can bring to Milwaukee. He is far from the finished article, but the frame, athleticism and talent are already there. Piecing it together at the next level is now the challenge.
His defense is the big question mark that will control his time on the court in this rookie season. His frame is a nice base to start, but it could be the defining factor to when and how long he stays on the floor in Milwaukee. Athletically, he is exactly what the Bucks have lacked at the forward position when Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't on the floor, so if he improves that part of his game early, he can be a really key piece of the Milwaukee Bucks and any success they have.
His ability to stretch the floor is perfect alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton, allowing him to keep defenders occupied and open up the paint for the ball-handlers to create opportunities for themselves and others.
Milwaukee's Summer League roster struggled as they lost all five games they played. Smith played 22 minutes per game and showed glimpses of his talents, averaging nine points, seven rebounds and a block per game. His shooting did dip to 40.4 percent from the field and 28 percent from three, but hopefully the continuity of being with the Bucks NBA roster will help him return to his Ignite averages.
Smith has a great skill set and frame that certainly has NBA comparisons, so let's take a look at a dream, realistic and floor scenario for the second-round pick.
Dream ceiling – Bobby Portis
The dream comparison for Smith is a player that he is now teaming up with in Bobby Portis.
Portis has been a stellar NBA player throughout his career and has been the Milwaukee Bucks' sixth man for four seasons, including being an integral part of the 2021 NBA Championship winning roster. When Smith was drafted, many said he could be the long-term replacement for Portis. It would be great for the Bucks if he grew into their sixth man who could also being impactful in the starting lineup when needed.
Last season, Portis averaged 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds on splits of .508/.407/.790, all of which are more than attainable for Smith to reach. The Mayor of Milwaukee has also finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting for two seasons running, showing just how impactful he can be when he enters the game with his energy and ability to score and crash the boards.
Portis has been named in potential trade talks with the Bucks potentially shaking up their roster even more, but for now, he will remain an integral part of the bench unit. He is a career 38.5 percent shooter from deep, which is not far off what Smith was shooting for the Ignite, so the tools are there.
Defensively, we know Smith needs to improve, and if he can bring the same energy that Portis brings when he enters the game, the Bucks will have a real gem on their hands.
Portis started his career as a useful bench player and has grown into one of the best sixth men in the league. Smith will now get to work with him and learn from Portis how to impact the game from the bench. If Smith can develop into a solid sixth man, he will have a good long career in Milwaukee.
Realistic ceiling – Trey Lyles
Trey Lyles isn't the flashiest of names, but he has been an ever present in the NBA since he was drafted by the Utah Jazz back in 2015. The Canadian is now heading into his third season with the Sacramento Kings, and the 28-year-old is still a valuable player off the bench.
In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 20 minutes per game off the bench. He shot a strong 44.5 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from deep. Across his career, he has averaged 18.3 minutes off the bench and is a 34.7 percent shooter from three, which is integral in the modern NBA. If Smith can be become that reliable bench player with his shooting and ability to add points and crash the glass, he can have a long and successful career.
Not to mention defense again, but Lyles has an exceptional 111.1 defensive rating across his career, per StatMuse. It has recently jumped up to the 116 mark, as he plays more minutes and more games, but it is still a respectable rating for a bench player that has a similar frame to that of Smith. That will come with reps and experience for Smith, with him hopefully smoothly fitting into this new versatile defensive scheme Rivers is looking to implement.
Lyles is a very solid and respectable bench player that can do a bit of everything that is expected of a power forward. Smith may have more athleticism and can grow into a better shooter. Similar production is realistic for him and would lead to him being a nice piece off the bench for the Bucks.
The floor – Kenrich Williams
Kenrich Williams is only 6-foot-6, but he has become a regular bench player for the Oklahoma City Thunder as they have rose to one of the best teams in the league.
The skill set in terms of rebounding and being able to stretch the floor is very similar between the two players. Williams may not average the highest numbers, but he was trusted to play 69 games on the Thunder's road to being the one seed in the Western Conference this past season.
Williams played 14.9 minutes per game off the bench for OKC, averaging 4.7 point and, three rebounds on 46.8 percent field goal shooting and 39.7 percent from beyond the arc. During his six seasons in the league, he is a 36 percent shooter from deep, which will always be valuable to a team.
What Smith has over Williams is his frame and athleticism. This will allow him to open up the offensive game more due to his size to create better looks than Williams, especially in the paint. Defensively, as well as the ability to be athletic and versatile due to Smith's frame, also stands him in better stead to guard bigger players while switching onto guards.
Developing a skill set defensively is where Smith needs to improve both with his toughness and defending in pick-and-rolls.
Smith can easily have the defensive production of Williams and become a useful bench player, but he has to improve defensively if he wants to be a factor on the Bucks moving forward. As a second-round pick, there is a huge range for him, and his frame and skills can take him far, just the fine tuning that is needed. If he grows into a valuable bench player for Milwaukee, it would be a very good selection in the second-round.
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