The Golden State Warriors, picking 11th, hoped that the Milwaukee Bucks would pass on standout guard Brayden Burries with the 10th pick in this past draft. According to ESPN's Anthony Slater, as the Bucks selected Burries one pick before Golden State, Warriors coach Steve Kerr let out a groan. Without a doubt, the Milwaukee Bucks got a good one, and Kerr's reaction says it all.
Bucks stole in-demand guard from Golden State
With nine championships combined as a player and coach, Kerr has been around the block. He has a knack for noticing talent. After a standout year at Arizona, it was clear that Burries would be a special player. He was likely salivating as team after team passed on Burries, inching toward him potentially making his way to Golden State. Then, the Bucks swooped in.
To be clear, it's not like the Warriors were crushed by this. One pick after Milwaukee, they selected Yaxel Lendeborg, who went on to win Summer League MVP. He has all of the tools to be a good player in this league. However, given their ages, it's not far-fetched to say that Burries has more potential and room to develop, while Lendeborg is far more polished.
The thought of Burries playing next to Steph Curry, though, was likely desirable to Kerr in the months leading up to the draft.
Bucks must use their draft fortune wisely
Burries was projected to fall to 10th in very few mock drafts. Some had him as high as five, and nine felt like the floor for him. As soon as Dallas selected Morez Johnson Jr. at nine, the Bucks knew they had to take Burries 10th. Slater noted they had wanted Nate Ament at that spot initially. Knowing how good Burries was, they could not pass him up—it worked out, as they got Ament anyway.
Milwaukee needs Burries to be as good as projected. After years of failed draft risks, they now have a rookie who looks like he could be a two-way standout from the jump. They cannot afford to lose him in the shuffle of this roster. Despite there being a very clear logjam in the backcourt, Milwaukee's new combo guard needs a role. He could very well be the future guard of this team.
The guard dazzled in Summer League, giving Milwaukee Bucks fans even more reason to believe in what he brings to the table. Now, the team must use him wisely.
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