Coming into 2021 free agency as NBA champions, the Milwaukee Bucks are sitting pretty. They didn't have to do much in the 2021 NBA draft.
They've also had a very productive start to their offseason. Even though they lost PJ Tucker to the Heat, they were able to re-sign Bobby Portis while adding Torrey Craig, George Hill, Rodney Hood, and Seme Ojeleye and pulled off a trade for Grayson Allen.
In spite of the Bucks free agent activity, they had a relatively quiet draft night. With only one pick at their disposal during the 2021 NBA Draft, the Bucks chose to add more size by drafting Sandro Mamukelashvili from the Wisconsin Herd of the NBA G-League. Despite only having one pick, they definitely made the most of their lone draft choice. So with no further ado, let's discuss the Milwaukee Bucks 2021 NBA Draft grade for their one and only pick.
Bucks NBA draft grade:
Power Forward/Center Sandro Mamukelashvili: B
With the Bucks already boasting plenty of options at both forward spots, this addition seemed a bit odd, but given they don't their lack of depth at center, it was a sound decision by the Bucks front office. Outside of Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo alternating between power forward and center, the Bucks do not have another pure center on their roster. Sandro Mamukelashvili gives them another option at center who can also fill in at the power forward spot at times.
However, Mamukelashvili will more than likely be a behind-the-scenes player in development for the entirety of the 2021-22 NBA season due to the Bucks already having a completely filled out roster with very little room to provide meaningful minutes to the rookie center. On the flip side, Sandro also gives them a building block for the future and could be their next star center when Brook Lopez retires or decides to finish out his playing career elsewhere.
During his senior year at Seton Hall, Sandro averaged 17.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while earning Big East Player of the Year honors. Sandro showed great potential as a multi-skilled big that could space the floor and provide his team with consistent rebounding and strong finishes at the rim.
Given that the Bucks currently have a crowded frontcourt with Giannis, Lopez, Khris Middleton, Rodney Hood, Bobby Portis, Torrey Craig, and Seme Ojeyele, it may be awhile before Sandro can see serious playing time in Milwaukee. In due time though, Sandro Mamukelashvili could become the next great center for the Bucks who could form an exciting new big man tandem with Giannis and help him lead the Bucks to more title runs in the latter half of his career.
In the meantime, Sandro will probably return to the Bucks' G-League affiliate the Wisconsin Herd which is where he had been playing prior to being drafted by Milwaukee. With the Bucks set to compete for multiple titles over the span of the next decade, this a draft pick that gives them another building block towards the future of their franchise and some assurance when they want to start a new chapter.
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