Guard is one area where the Milwaukee Bucks need to improvise for next season with the lengthy absence of Damian Lillard and they might find one through the NBA draft.
The Bucks need to be cautious with their draft pick which is 47th overall. One name being linked to them is someone who’s ceiling according to critics is that of their former player Donte Divincenzo.
Hunter Sallis’ name is not that popular in several mock drafts and he is projected to get picked in the second round. He played two season each for Gonzaga and Wake Forest. He was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team in his last two seasons with the Demon Deacons.
Behind the Buck Pass writer Delton Sell justified Yahoo NBA’s mock draft that linked Sallis to Milwaukee saying he can be used in Lillard’s absence alongside other Bucks guards.
The team found success in their guards like Kevin Porter Jr., Ryan Rollins, and Gary Trent Jr. during Dame’s absence. Even Andre Jackson Jr. had his moments when the team struggled in their start to the season.
Sell wrote about Sallis:
While the offensive is his most desirable trait, Sallis is also a pesky defender due to his ability to leap into passing lanes and generate steals. Milwaukee Bucks fans saw how valuable this type of player is last season, as Gary Trent Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. both helped mightily in this regard, creating more opportunities offensive
Milwaukee Bucks can select a big man, too
Another player being linked to the Bucks is 6’10 forward center Samson Johnson from the UConn Huskies. Milwaukee was previously linked to Chinese big man Hansen Yang.
Johnson has limited offense but his best asset is his defense, averaging 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and a steal per game in his last season.
Sell described him as an athletic big man whose best attribute is defense. Head coach Doc Rivers was somehow able to get that from Jericho Sims as Bobby Portis failed to provide it.
Sims was a great lob target for Lillard and other guards before he got injured that kept him out for one month.
With big men like Portis and Brook Lopez expected to test free agency, Sell said it will be worth looking at the Huskies standout.
With Lopez, Portis, and Sims all likely to test free agency, the Milwaukee Bucks may need to stock up on new bigs, and Johnson could be worth a look. Embracing a faster, more athletic style of play must be a priority for Milwaukee moving forward, and Samson Johnson could certainly help the cause.
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