Unlike two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo or All-Star guard Damian Lillard, AJ Johnson isn’t one of the more recognizable names playing for the Milwaukee Bucks. Turns out, he was recently named as one of the team’s most overpaid players.
The Bucks have taken a significant step towards Antetokounmpo’s long-term future with the selection of AJ Johnson in the 2024 NBA Draft. The 20-year-old prospect opted to play in the Australian NBL rather than college. He is also a project player who will likely need several years of development before potentially contributing at the NBA level.
While Johnson’s immediate impact is uncertain, the Bucks’ decision to invest in a long-term developmental prospect represents a shift in their strategy. Previous draft picks have focused on players who could contribute more quickly, but the team now seems to be prioritizing building for Giannis’ future as the core of the current roster ages.
Johnson’s skill set and physical attributes may help him develop into a versatile, oversized point guard capable of complementing Giannis’ game. However, the path to the NBA will not be easy, and the Bucks will need to closely collaborate with their G-League affiliate in Oshkosh to guide his development. Nonetheless, the selection of the rookie signals the Bucks’ commitment to ensuring Giannis has the necessary supporting cast for the latter stages of his career.
The Reason Why Milwaukee Bucks’ AJ Johnson Was Named As One Of Team’s Most Overpaid Players
Along with All-Star wing Khris Middleton, Johnson has been identified as one of the Bucks’ overpaid players, as seen in an article by Rudy LB for Behind the Buck Pass.
“He easily makes the list because he has $5 million guaranteed coming his way over the next two years. That is close to being more money than Gary Trent Jr, AJ Green, Taurean Prince and MarJon Beauchamp combined will make in terms of guaranteed money.
Huh! How does that work? Good question. Well, it is good to be a first round pick in the NBA.
Yes, AJ Johnson did post some decent production numbers in the NBA Summer League. However, the 19-year-old still looks like a walking project. Was that the right move for a team that is looking to advance past the first round of the 2024-2025 NBA playoffs? Probably not,” LB wrote.
Johnson previously played for the Illawarra Hawks in the Australian NBL. The rookie was ranked as one of the best combo guards in the 2023 high school class, which led him to being drafted 23rd overall by the Bucks in the 2024 NBA Draft.
While his contract is pricier than other veterans on the team, Johnson has a chance to prove this claim wrong when the new season begins. Hopefully, head coach Doc Rivers can give him some minutes to show what he can do on the court.
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