The Milwaukee Bucks were a favorite in the Eastern Conference this season but they ended up losing in the playoffs much earlier than expected, to Coach Rick Carlisle's Indiana Pacers.
The Bucks dealt with injuries to their top players including worldwide sensation Giannis Antetokounmpo, and now the offseason tweaking is set to begin.
The Bucks hold the 23rd and 33rd picks in the 2024 NBA Draft later this month, and that's where the future possibilities become interesting. Coach Doc Rivers' team has a nearly complete depth chart full of players and team management now has the luxury of taking the time necessary to fit the bring the Bucks' talented pieces both new and old together.
The focus has been off the court lately for Milwaukee. Recently, Bucks guard Patrick Beverly set the record straight on his unique viral interview behavior. The Bucks' superstar the ‘Greek Freak' was involved in offseason drama that few expected.
Bucks biggest offseason need: Smart, savvy draft choices-
The Bucks may find themselves in the catbird's seat this June considering the amount of potential sleeper picks that could exist toward the end of the first round and the early second round. With so many young yet unproven talents in the draft nowadays a savvy team like Milwaukee could find themselves a steal or two in this year's draft.
A recent mock draft has the Bucks selecting Carlton Carrington out of Pitt with the number 23 pick. An athletic, defensive minded guard like Carrington would be perfect for the Bucks if he's still there at pick 23.
Another player who could fall to the Bucks at pick 33 is Terrence Shannon Jr. of Illinois. Shannon Jr. has been compared to Kelly Oubre Jr. and is the type of player who could thrive on an established team like the Bucks. Shannon Jr. is used to carrying the load both at Texas Tech and Illinois. He has the talent to take over games and make big plays against elite defenders; playing with guys like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Middleton could allow him to take an evolutionary leap in his career arc practically overnight.
Bucks fans should be excited about this draft because it has the potential to bring new pieces that could get the Bucks over the top next season.
The Milwaukee Bucks should select Terrence Shannon Jr.-
Shannon Jr. is by far the best player on the board for the Bucks to select with either pick 23 or 33. Shannon Jr.'s time with the Illinois Fighting Illini didn't end the way he and Coach Brad Underwood expected, but that doesn't mean Shannon Jr. has lost his luster.
The former Texas Tech Red Raider has high-stakes, ice in his veins playoff performer written all over him, and that's just part of the reason the Bucks should move heaven and Earth to draft him in the first round, even if it means using their 23rd overall pick on him.
The Bucks need a guard who can complement the long, athletic big bodies of Middleton and Antetokounmpo on both the offensive and defensive side of the court. If the Bucks manage to nail this draft the way they are capable of, fans can expect a return to the Eastern Conference Finals at the very least next season, as long as the health of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard cooperates.
Of course, this selection is contingent on Shannon Jr. being exonerated on rape charges that he is currently facing. If the Bucks deem Shannon Jr.'s red flag or legal uncertainties as too much, they might opt for a safer prospect such as Carrington or perhaps even Purdue University big man Zach Edey, who could be a boom-or-bust type of prospect depending on how well he adjusts to the fast-paced modern day NBA game in 2024-2025 and beyond.
A duo of Edey and Antetokounmpo along with Middleton and Lillard could become an unstoppable force that would allow the Bucks to compete with Kristaps Porzingis, the Boston Celtics, and other teams whose rosters are punctuated by hulking presences in the paint next season and beyond.
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