No. 1 - The Athletic
No. 25: Ryan Dunn, Virginia. No. 35, Tristan da Silva, Colorado
Between age, size, team needs and what the picks bring to the table, The Athletic's 2024 mock draft (subscription required) gave Milwaukee Bucks fans a lot to like.
With the 25th overall selection, they have Virginia's Ryan Dunn heading to Milwaukee. As described in the article, Dunn is an "elite defensive playmaker" who averaged an absurd 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks at 6-foot-8 this past season. It's no secret that the Bucks have had issues with their wing defense in 2023-24, and the 21-year-old Dunn could certainly provide some potential assistance.
The biggest concern with Dunn is his offensive output. He shot 61.8 percent from two this season but a horrid 20 percent on his triples. On a team that is so reliant on putting spacing around the franchise star in Giannis Antetokounmpo, that could be an issue. Yet, that is something that could be worked on at the next level. The main draw is the defensive effort.
If the Bucks do indeed want floor-spacing, Tristan da Silva, mocked to the Bucks in the second-round, would be a solid pick. For his collegiate career, the four-year Colorado Buffalo shot 38 percent on his 3-point opportunities, which helped him average 11.7 points per contest. Over the last two seasons, those numbers are up to 15.9 points on 38.8 percent 3-point shooting.
At 6-foot-8, da Silva is a great shooter for his size, and he's also a fine-enough defender that would allow him to stick on the floor for Milwaukee. His style of play would shore up this team's versatility, giving them a young forward who could be plugged into endless lineup combinations. He may fit particularly nice in smaller lineups with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the five.
Something to like about both players is their experience. Dunn has played three seasons in college, while da Silva has suited up for four. It's not a guarantee, but that may help them be more equipped to help sooner at the next level.