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The Milwaukee Bucks fell short of their sky-high expectations in 2021. Following their NBA title in 2021, the Bucks were knocked out of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics. The injury to Khris Middleton proved to be too much to overcome against the elite Boston defense. This should not be considered a disappointment considering the Celtics are currently going toe-to-toe with Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
Regardless, Milwaukee will shift its focus to improving for next season. One of the ways they will attempt to do this is with the 24th pick in the draft that they possess. Giannis Antetokounmpo is still just 27-year-old and has many years of high-level basketball still in front of him. This is a fairly deep draft with several prospects set to be on the board who can make a positive impact on the Bucks. However, here are a few names the franchise should avoid with the selection.
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3 players Bucks must avoid in 2022 NBA Draft
Ryan Rollins- Guard Toledo
A 6’3” guard from Toledo, Ryan Rollins burst onto the NBA scene with his impressive sophomore performance. He averaged 18.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 steals. He improved in just about every statistical category from his freshman to sophomore year. Rollins has decent passing instincts and a high basketball IQ. He decreased his turnovers per game from 2.4 as a freshman to 2.2 during his sophomore season. The Toledo product attacks the basket well and has an impressive ability to finish around bigger defenders. Rollins also has a very intriguing 6’10” wingspan that will help him do his work on the defensive end.
It is always tough to judge small school guys. Ryan Rollins played a very ball-dominant role at Toledo but this likely would not have been the case at a larger school and certainly will not be at the NBA level. Rollins shot just 31.1% on three-point attempts this season which was a slight decrease from his freshman year. This is not a terrible percentage but most of his game is built around attacking the basket. This is a concern for guards in the NBA and especially if Rollins is going to be playing alongside Giannis. While he is a fun player to watch and hopefully finds his place in the league, his shot development may be his sink or swim factor.
Kennedy Chandler- Guard Tennessee
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A 6’1 point guard from Tennesse, Kennedy Chandler was a fun player to watch in college. He impressed greatly in his lone collegiate season. Chandler was honored on the All-SEC Second Team, All-SEC All-Freshman First Team, and was given the SEC Tournament MVP. Over his 34 games of college, Chandler averaged 13.9 points, 4.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. The Tennessee guard is a high-IQ player who constantly makes the right reads. He is a true floor general with intriguing athleticism. Chandler is good at manipulating a defense and excellent at driving and kicking.
While there is a lot to like about his game, the fit on the Bucks is questionable. Kennedy Chandler has an undersized frame and struggles as a finisher. He lacks the in-between game and, given his size, the addition of a floater would be very helpful in his game. He connected on an impressive 38.3% of his three-pointers this year although some scouts are still skeptical of his jumper. Chandler shot just 60.6% at the free-throw line which is a massive concern. The biggest problem with his fit is that the Tennessee product may need the ball too much to be effective in the Bucks system. Backup point guard is a position of need but this pick could be better used on another target.
Jaden Hardy- Guard G-League Ignite
It once would be a massive surprise that Jaden Hardy could still be on the board with the 24th pick. The former number two high school recruit has been regarded highly but did not live up to expectations with the G-League Ignite. Hardy showed some positive flashes and averaged 19.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. The 19-year-old has intriguing shot potential and an impressive ability to create his own shot.
While Hardy may very well have a bright future, he is further away in the developmental process than was expected at this point. He lacks the elite explosion you hope for and can get tunnel vision on the offensive end. Hardy shot just 37.9% from the field and 30.9% on three-point attempts this season. He also shot just 39.3% at the rim in the half-court. His 28.1% turnover rate is also extremely concerning.
The best route of development for Jaden Hardy would be on a team where he can play through and learn from his mistakes. The Bucks will once again have title hopes in the upcoming season and cannot afford to give him this opportunity. While he holds appeal as an off-the-bench scorer, Hardy has too many red flags for this role. The Bucks would be better served looking elsewhere with their pick and avoiding these three players.
