2018 NBA Draft - Milwaukee Bucks Mock Draft Roundup

It’s the most exciting day of the year - Draft Day! Filled with limitless rumors, gossip slipping out Woj’s mouthpiece and buzzwords galore, there’s no better day to think about the amazing potential of your team before your pick probably fizzles out in the NBA. This year offers a pretty stupendous crop of nimble big men, the most accomplished young European player in history and any number of athletic wings who can’t shoot that people believe will one day shoot. Milwaukee might miss most of that crop though since 17 doesn’t always provide a King’s bounty. Still, it’s worthwhile to see who the experts have the Bucks taking at that slot so let’s get one last mock draft roundup ready.

Jerome Robinson

Appearing to be the consensus pick among most mock drafts at this point, Robinson brings off-ball ability and a competent shot that should slot in beside Giannis. Personally, I’m dubious of any player’s rise in the final week leading up to the draft. That, combined with his elder age makes me hope Milwaukee shies away from Robinson. Hopefully some team before them alleviates me of that fear.

Sports Illustrated

“Robinson is among the prospects in consideration here for Milwaukee, and has become a first-round lock during the pre-draft process with his scoring ability, ability to play on or off the ball, and strong intangibles. His shooting and offensive versatility fits well in the backcourt next to Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he creates his own shot well off the dribble, changes speeds well and can put the ball in the basket from all three levels. Robinson needs to improve defensively, but appears a good bet to figure out a role and stick. He should become a stabilizing offensive factor in someone’s rotation. Depending on which players fall to this spot, the Bucks are also in position to trade down.”

Sporting News

“Robinson has skyrocketed up NBA Draft boards during the pre-draft process, as teams have seemingly fallen in love with his potential as a shot maker. The 6-5 guard converted 40.9 percent of his 3s as a junior on over six attempts per 40 minutes. An improved free-throw percentage helps provide credence to the idea that his shot will be sustainable from the deeper 3-point line. Adding a prospect who can space the floor would be valuable to the Bucks’ long-term offensive prospects.”

The Ringer

Trigger Warning: Giannis’ name is mispronounced with the ever-ugly “g” pronounced like a “J” rather than a “Y.” The draftniks at The Ringer did a live video mock draft yesterday, discussing Robinson’s high rise up draft boards over the last week and his potential fit next to Giannis. Click the link above to be sent to the point in the video where they chat about Milwaukee’s selection.

Aaron Holiday

Holiday seems in a similar vein to Robinson, a potential off-ball point guard who has some ability to create. He has a better shooting record than Robinson, but his small size worries me about his defensive potential. He’s another guy that seems to lack the sort of upside I still think Milwaukee should be shooting for.

CBS Sports

“Holiday is an explosive scorer. He’s only 6-1, but his long wingspan makes him an excellent perimeter defender. And I don’t need to tell you about his NBA pedigree with his brothers Jrue and Justin. Holiday had a variety of college experiences, from backing up Lonzo Ball to becoming The Guy last year, and that should help him accept whatever role an NBA team asks of him. He’s a great fit for a Bucks team that could be looking to move on from Eric Bledsoe.”

NBA.com

“Mike Budenholzer will give Eric Bledsoe a chance to show he’s the long-term answer for Milwaukee at the point. But with Bled entering the last year of his contract, it’s only prudent for the Bucks to give themselves some insurance at the position. Most important, though, Milwaukee needs shooting, and Aaron Holiday, the younger brother of Jrue (New Orleans) and Justin (Chicago), can fill it up—he was top 25 nationally in three-point shooting as a junior for the Bruins (.429 behind the college line). Yes, Malcolm Brogdon and Matthew Dellavedova are still on the roster, but a) you can never have enough point guards, and b) in this day and age point guards with reasonable deals are eminently tradeable quantities. Holiday, all-Pac 12 First Team and all-Pac 12 Defensive Team, is a talent who could help the Bucks right away.”

Donte DiVincenzo

ESPN’s latest mock rocketed DiVincenzo up to Milwaukee after previously giving the Bucks Zhaire Smith. Givony pushed Aaron Holiday and Jerome Robinson up his board, the latter likely reflecting his meteoric rise of late, but with Zhaire Smith now mocked to Atlanta at 19, I’d much rather Milwaukee take a chance on Smith than settle for the bouncy DiVincenzo who I can’t see carving out a role in the NBA. Also, note that I think Givony means Milwaukee when he mentions “Minnesota” below.

ESPN

“Robinson will likely get a strong look from Milwaukee if he’s available. Zhaire Smith is also a possibility, should he fall. Minnesota desperately needs to add depth to its guard and wing rotations, preferably someone who can also bring 3-point shooting and defense.

DiVincenzo put himself firmly on the NBA map with a memorable performance in the NCAA tournament championship game and continued his strong play at the NBA combine. He’s a versatile guard who brings toughness and aggressiveness on both ends of the floor as well as deep range from beyond the arc.”

Lonnie Walker

I’m guessing Walker will be gone by this point, but if he’s there, he would be a very welcome slip to the Bucks.

HoopsHype

“Walker has been one of the standout workout performers and a number of lottery teams are said to have him in the mix. He would offer tremendous value at 17 if he were to slide this far.”