2017 NBA Draft Grade Roundup

The 2017 NBA Draft came and went and our wonderful Milwaukee Bucks selected D.J. Wilson from Michigan in the first round and Sterling Brown from SMU in the second round. In classic sports media tradition, this means we have to fire up the take machine and determine how a pick will turn out before the players even step foot on a court. So let’s see what the internet and experts had to say about the Bucks night.

CBS Sports: Wilson B+ Brown B

Wilson: A late-blooming stretch four. He can really shoot it, and plays decent D.

Brown: Very strong, should be able to play multiple positions. Had a strong senior season for SMU.

Fox Sports: B

I'm pretty high on Wilson, but No. 17 feels like a reach. On the other hand, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the the Bucks didn't have a clear need they could fill this late in the first round, so taking a stretch-4 with defensive upside doesn't hurt by any means.

The Ringer: Value: A Fit: A

Prioritizing length has made the Bucks one of the most exciting young teams in the NBA, and they stuck to the blueprint with the 17th pick. Wilson is a 6-foot-11 stretch 4 from Michigan with a 7-foot-3 wingspan. There were concerns about Wilson’s toughness and rebounding ability in college, but he won’t be asked to do much more than space the floor for all the athletes they have in Milwaukee, and he should be a great fit next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. The inability of guys like Mirza Teletovic and Spencer Hawes to move their feet was exposed against the Raptors in the playoffs, and Wilson projects as a much more athletic version of those players. Jason Kidd has shown that he’s not afraid to throw rookies into the fire, so don’t be surprised if Wilson is playing right away.

SB Nation: Grade Ehh (Let’s call that a C)

There had been rumors Wilson might have a first round promise in the late 20s. So much for that! Milwaukee’s rotation has space for yet another kid depending on whether Greg Monroe or John Henson (or both) get moved.

Sports Illustrated: Grade A-

Every pick in this range of the draft is a risk, and D.J. Wilson’s potential as a well-rounded role player helped him rise to the top of the crop. He’s a late-bloomer who didn’t have a large sample size of quality production (and was highly inconsistent at times), but a lot of teams were extremely high on his ability to defend multiple positions and shoot the three. He’s a good athlete with enviable size for a stretch-four. Milwaukee has assembled an extremely intriguing collection of talent, and Wilson is a strong long-term fit around Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Vertical

Wilson has a good frame, impressive mobility and tremendous length. He has perimeter skills after growing a few inches late in high school. He didn’t play much early in his Michigan career. He’s an efficient finisher in the paint but avoids contact. He’s a 37 percent 3-point shooter who projects to improve. He can attack the rim off the dribble but has to become a tougher player to match up against NBA big men. He can protect the rim but doesn’t fight on the glass as a rebounder. His defensive awareness and willingness to get stops need to improve.

The Sporting News: Wilson - B+ Brown -

The Bucks get an athletic, long and shooting big man in Wilson. Stop me if you're surprised. It looks like the team's M.O. for draft strategy will not change much under Jon Horst, and Wilson fills many of the same holes that the organization tends to look for and have success developing.

Brown is a long, athletic wing who can shoot the ball. He'll fit well in Milwaukee, where the team continues to prioritize those skills in players.

Based off of this, Milwaukee’s cumulative GPA comes out pretty well considering they were absent from class for a few weeks (ie. searching for a GM) and asked the buddy next to them to take notes(Justin Zanik), I’d say job well done. Especially compared to the temperamental student sitting below who just failed miserably.