The Bucks neither won nor
lost in this years NBA Draft Lottery. As predicted, they were
selected the 12th overall pick. After a losing season
(31-35) and with a poor recent draft history (see earlier blog
entry), this years draft is more important to the franchise than any
other draft in sports history (ok...maybe not that important,
but still pretty important). So what direction do the Bucks turn?
Most
recently, the Bucks have been in contact with Connecticut center
Andre Drummond.
The 7-footer may be the only true center in the draft, a position the
Bucks need help at desperately. Drummond has been projected high in
the draft, but could also fall to the Bucks because of his work
ethic. Rumor has it that the Bucks had talked with the Bobcats about
trading up to the number two pick, probably to get Drummond.
If
the Bucks need to trade up in the draft, who's expendable? Ellis has
already expressed plans to leave Milwaukee at the end of this coming
season, so it would be beneficial to the Bucks to get some long term
value from him. Gooden has been shopped around the league already.
Though he's aging, a good statistical season last year may have his
value at it's highest level in some time. Aside from these players,
everyone else (in my opinion) either has no trade value or is not
expendable.
So
back to my original intentions here: what do the Bucks do with the
12th
pick in this draft? I would like to see the Bucks continue to play a
running, fast paced type of offense, a la the Phoenix Suns of the
past. In this case, they wouldn't need a prototypical NBA center like
Drummond. I would rather see the Deer go in one of these directions:
Perry
Jones III – P. Jones
would be a great fit at PF if the Bucks should choose to play an
uptempo style. He has a similar body and skill set to Kevin Durant
when he was chosen 2nd
in the 2007 NBA Draft. Durant registered for the draft at 6'10”,
215 lbs. Jones is a bit bigger at 6'11”, 235 lbs.
(draftexpress.com). Jones is athletic and long like Durant, but is
not as good of a perimeter scorer or ball handler. The Bucks could
use some explosive players to compliment their endless role players.
Perry Jones can be that guy. His soft touch makes him good around the
basket and going at the rim, but scouts want him to develop his shot
to become a more consistent scorer.
Terrence
Jones –
Terrance Jones has a similar body and skill set as Lebron James when
he was selected 1st
in the 2003 Draft. Lebron was 6'8”, 245 lbs. T. Jones registered at
6'9”, 252. T. Jones has a capable jump shot (albeit streaky) and
can put the ball on the floor and beat defenders to the rim. Scouts
say he has the skills and ability to play the 3 in the NBA, but is
better suited for a 4 in an uptempo offense (my vision for the
Bucks).
By
comparing these guys to Durant and James, I'm not saying they're
going to come in and be MVP's, but it does show that they have the
gifts and potential to be stars at the NBA level. Both players would
be explosive 3 or 4's for the Bucks. The Bucks could start Jennings,
Ellis, Delfino, a Jones, and Gooden. Though they would still lack a
center, they would be a tough offensive group to slow down.
The
Bucks should NOT pick:
Tyler
Zeller –
He's another soft, role player. He could be a good answer for their
lack of a center, but I don't see him being much better than a Joel
Pryzbilla type.
A
guard –
Unless they plan on dealing Ellis, it would be stupid to draft
another guard. They are stacked at the position already and have
plenty of needs to address elsewhere. Rivers, Beal, Marshall, and the
like are going to be good NBA players, but wouldn't help the Bucks.
(Again, only if they plan on hanging on to Ellis)
Hopefully
the Bucks will keep up with the Joneses and take my advice!
-Zack
follow
me on twitter! @WisSportsPulse
stats
from draftexpress.com
