The Milwaukee Bucks will be looking for a potential star with their first round pick in this year’s NBA Draft, but they can find impact players later on, too.
Iowa State forward Milan Momcilovic, who is originally from nearby Pewaukee (just 20 minutes from Milwaukee), stands out as an elite shooter. He’s got the perfect skill set to contribute right away, and the Bucks should do what they can to secure his services.
Milan Momcilovic will be a great pro
Milan’s biggest strength is clearly his shooting. This season, he’s averaging 17 points per game while shooting a ridiculous 49 percent from three (best in the NCAA) on 7.6 attempts per game. Those numbers are nearly unheard of and put him in a different tier than just about any other collegiate shooter this year.
Unsurprisingly, he’s able to thrive in a number of different shooting scenarios. Of course he’s great spotting up or coming off screens, but he can also strike on the occasional step back when attacking a closeout. The thought of him catching a kickout pass from Giannis Antetokounmpo or Ryan Rollins is salivating.
The Bucks have learned a hard lesson this season about finding players who can thrive in their roles. Momcilovic doesn’t flash the potential to be an All-Star one day, but he does have the perfect skill set and shooting touch to fit into the Milwaukee Bucks' plans from day one. And he’s not entirely a one-dimensional player either.
This season, he’s also shooting 68 percent inside the arc by leveraging the threat of his 3-point shooting. This bodes well for his potential to generate efficient offense at the next level. He’s also got a passable defensive base with his 6-foot-8, 220lbs frame. Even though he doesn’t have the quickest feet, he could survive as a frontcourt defender with his solid instincts and size.
The Bucks will have to make moves to draft Milan
After seeing the instant success of Kon Knueppel this season, the Bucks might be keen to pick up a Wisconsin native shooting talent of their own. Both players have otherworldly shooting talent combined with unselfish traits that make them solid playmakers, even without the ball. But drafting Momcilovic won’t be an easy task for the Milwaukee Bucks.
They currently lack a second round pick, so a trade will have to be made. Sending out one of the ineffective role players on the bench would be worth it for Momcilovic.
Regardless of whether the Bucks want to upgrade their roster in hopes of a deep playoff run or trade Giannis to kick off a full rebuild, Momcilovic will help accomplish their goals. He’s a perfect second-round target who can fit into any system. And his hometown roots are sure to make him a fan favorite.