Without a single shooting guard under contract - though it feels inevitable that the Milwaukee Bucks will guarantee the salaries of AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. while making a pitch to Gary Trent Jr. to return - this franchise would be justified in taking a two-guard in the NBA Draft. They've been eyeing a handful in the pre-draft process, so let's rank them.
No. 4 - John Blackwell, Wisconsin*
John Blackwell has an asterisk because he has already announced that he will be heading back to the Wisconsin Badgers for another year of college. It's the right move for the youngster, as he will have an opportunity to raise his draft stock for next year, as he faced an uphill climb to get drafted in June. The Milwaukee Bucks could certainly circle back on him next summer.
No. 3 - Gabe Dorsey, William & Mary
The Milwaukee Bucks could always use more 3-point shooting, so it makes sense that they are eyeing Gabe Dorsey. Excluding his first year at Vanderbilt, where he hardly played, Dorsey shot 41.1 percent on his triples on 7.9 attempts per game during his college career. He's an elite marksman, and he'd fit right in as Giannis Antetokounmpo's next lethal perimeter kick-out threat.
No. 2 - TJ Bamba, Oregon
TJ Bamba is the type of athletic defender the Milwaukee Bucks could use. The Big Ten All-Defender has all of the tools to be a versatile Swiss Army Knife at the next level, using his 6-foot-6, 208 lb frame to hold his ground against players of different shapes and sizes. With five years of college experience to his name, he may also be more polished.
The big concern is his offense, as he's always been streaky. Last season, he shot 38.9 percent from the floor and 25.3 percent from deep. The year before, he was at 43 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from three. If he can at least be competent offensively, especially as a long-range shooter, there may be a place for TJ Bamba in the NBA.
No. 1 - Hunter Sallis, Wake Forest
Of the shooting guards the Milwaukee Bucks have eyes on, Hunter Sallis is the most captivating. He's coming off his best collegiate season, averaging 18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Offensively, he's a bucket getter, capable of putting points on the board from anywhere on the floor. Defensively, he leaps into passing lanes and gets out in transition.
The concern with Sallis is his 6-foot-5, 175 lb stature. Without much bulk to his frame, bigger wings could look to pick on him defensively, causing problems. Now, it's always a possibility that Sallis can add to his frame (the Milwaukee Bucks have one of the best examples of this of all time in Giannis), if needed. The good certainly outweighs the bad when it comes to Hunter Sallis.
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