The Milwaukee Bucks have plenty of question marks in the backcourt right now, and it's unlikely they will fill them in what looks like a weaker free agent class. Instead, their best bet appears to be drafting someone 10th overall who could be of use, as there are far more options in that scenario than in free agency. This is the perfect time to need guard help, given this strong draft class.
Free agent class isn't entirely desirable
Headlining the point guards in this class are Trae Young and Fred VanVleet. Young spent most of the season injured, while VanVleet missed all of it due to a torn ACL. Pass and pass. Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White could be great pickups, but both are likely to earn raises after strong years. Outside of those four, the class is full of players around 30 years old who don't jump off the page.
Tyus Jones, D'Angelo Russell, and Aaron Holiday, to name a few, are all respectable veterans who could be fine stopgap pieces. However, whether the Milwaukee Bucks push forward with franchise icon Giannis Antetokounmpo or move forward with a full-on rebuild/retool, they aren't exactly the type of names that stir excitement.
There is simply far more upside waiting in the NBA Draft.
Bucks will have options in the draft
With the Milwaukee Bucks picking 10th, there are only so many guards who can go before it's their turn to pick. Keaton Wagler, Kingston Flemmings, and Darius Acuff Jr. all feel like they will be off the board by then for sure, but that leaves the Bucks with options like Brayden Burries, Mikel Brown Jr., and Labaron Philon Jr. Any of those three would offer immediate and long-term upside.
Milwaukee's best bet would be drafting a guard 10th and re-signing Kevin Porter Jr.—if he opts out of his player option in the first place—to give Ryan Rollins some backcourt support. Whether it's Burries, Brown, or Philon, that would give the Milwaukee Bucks three guards who would all fit well together, offering Taylor Jenkins plenty of versatility in his lineup-crafting.
Importantly, any combination of that trio would make sense whether Giannis stays or goes, making it clear that the Milwaukee Bucks do not have to make a decision based on that factor alone.
Plenty of mock drafts have the Bucks taking forwards like Nate Ament or Yaxel Lendeborg, but their best option feels like it will come at guard.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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