The 2025 NBA Draft is coming up quickly, and the Milwaukee Bucks, who possess the 47th selection, could explore adding a point guard as they navigate Damian Lillard's absence. They've already been eyeing a handful of prospects, so let's break them down and rank them.
3. A.J. Hoggard, Vanderbilt
Hoggard is known for his versatile defense and facilitating prowess. He weighs 220 lbs, allowing him to defend and switch against bigger players. For his five-year college career, he averaged 4.6 assists per game. For a Milwaukee team that could use more passing and versatile defenders, their interest in Hoggard makes some sense.
The drawbacks with Hoggard are his height and scoring production. Despite his sturdy frame, he is still just 6-foot-3, making him a smaller guard. In today's NBA, those are becoming less reliable. The senior's shooting efficiency is also poor, shooting 39.6 percent from the floor and 29.2 percent from beyond the arc, which certainly won't hold up in the NBA.
2. Mark Sears, Alabama
Sticking with small guards, the biggest drawback with Sears is his build. The guard is just 6-foot-1, 185 lbs, making him a prime candidate to get picked on by bigger guards from day one. Bucks fans watched the towering Boston Celtics pick apart George Hill, who is 6-foot-3, in the 2022 playoffs and may not want to relive that with an even smaller guard.
That's not to say Sears can't play. There's a reason he's been compared to Knicks star Jalen Brunson. The three-time All-SEC honoree averaged 16.7 points and 3.9 assists per contest during his college career, always serving as a jolt offensively. If Sears goes undrafted, perhaps the Milwaukee Bucks could take a closer look at him, though a bigger guard may be more suitable.
1. Max Shulga, VCU
Max Shulga does not have the drawbacks of being too undersized or inefficient on offense. Standing at 6-foot-5, he uses that height to be physical with his defensive assignment and not get singled out. Offensively, he's an elite marksman, knocking in 40.2 percent of his triples during his final two years at VCU. On paper, there's a lot to like about the guard.
The significant factor that holds Shulga back from being a sure thing with the Milwaukee Bucks is his lack of athleticism. It's well-documented that the Bucks need to get more athletic this offseason, and every move they make should take that into account. While he could help in other regards, his lack of athletic ability could be worrisome.
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