The Milwaukee Bucks have not had many draft picks in recent years, and when they did, they often chose players viewed as long-term projects. Bleacher Report’s way-too-early 2026 NBA Mock Draft projects them to stay on that path, slotting Duke commit Dame Sarr at No. 17 overall. Based on his current skill set, selecting the young wing would represent another bold gamble by Milwaukee.
The Bucks keep chasing their next version of Giannis Antetokounmpo by targeting raw, developing prospects. They aren’t banking on landing another two-time MVP, but instead focusing on players with hidden upside who can grow into impact contributors down the road. The strategy makes sense in theory, but it hasn’t produced results since they struck gold with Giannis.
MarJon Beauchamp, Chris Livingston, Andre Jackson Jr., Hugo Besson, AJ Johnson, Tyler Smith, and latest selection Bogoljub Markovic showcase Milwaukee’s gamble on raw prospects. Aside from Jackson, who now finds himself on the hot seat after recent roster moves, none have broken into the Bucks’ rotation — with Besson and Markovic continuing their development overseas.
Dame Sarr fitting with the Bucks?
At just 19, Dame Sarr would still be raw if he entered next year’s NBA Draft, no matter how strong his upcoming season looks. If none of Milwaukee’s recent draft picks start contributing, the team’s strategy will be hard to defend. The Bucks need players who can step in and help now, not prospects who require years of development.
“On the ball, he delivered promising flashes last year with Barcelona, changing direction with his handle and attacking the rim,” Jonathan Wasserman wrote in his article.
Dame Sarr checks all the boxes to become a solid player. At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wingspan, he combines length, athleticism, and enough offensive skill to make an impact. Those tools could benefit the Milwaukee Bucks, but with Giannis Antetokounmpo aging, the team may not have the luxury of waiting to see how Sarr develops.
A lot can shift in just a year, and there’s no guarantee the Milwaukee Bucks will even keep this pick when they’re on the clock next summer. It’s far too early to dive deep into draft prospects, but with their recent projects falling short, the Bucks may be better off exploring a different draft approach.
