Milwaukee Bucks: 5 options for pick No. 48 in 2017 NBA Draft
2017 NCAA Tournament: 5 Players To Watch For In East Region
Mar 11, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) watches his shot during the first half of the Big East Conference Tournament final game against the Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
The Milwaukee Bucks struck gold last year with their second round pick. To do so again in the 2017 NBA Draft, who should they consider at pick No. 48?
For most teams, second round picks are simply a grasp in the dark, a long-shot swing at a rotation player. For the Milwaukee Bucks, it's a measured selection of a player with the upside to step into a role from day one.
Last season it was Virginia guard Malcolm Brogdon, whom the Bucks selected with the 36th overall pick. Brogdon, a four-year player at Virginia, was supposed to be a reserve guard at best, a third-stringer to bring in for defense-only possessions.
Instead Brogdon is a finalist for the NBA's Rookie of the Year award, starting down the stretch for a team that fought its way from 11th in the Eastern Conference to sixth, pushing the Toronto Raptors in a hard-fought first round playoff series.
Not only was he a defensive ace at point guard, but his shooting both freed up space for the Bucks offense and unleashed an emerging 1-3 pick-and-roll combination with Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Jon Leuer, Johnny O'Bryant and Jodie Meeks are all former Milwaukee second round picks that have carved out roles for themselves in the league. Can the Bucks connect on another second-round swing and add another rotation piece?
To do so, the Bucks have to first know who might be available when they pick, and how they fit into the team's needs moving forward. The later the pick, the more uncertain the options will be, but this front office does its homework and will be prepared for draft night, regardless of who is the general manager at the time.
For now, their search for a meaningful contributor at pick No. 48 begins amidst amber waves of grain, with a Wooden Award-winning guard and his style award-winning haircut.
Mar 25, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) drives around Oregon Ducks guard Casey Benson (2) during the first half in the finals of the Midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Oregon defeated Kansas 74-60. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
5. Frank Mason, PG, Kansas
It's strange for the best player in college basketball to fall deep into the second round, but that's the current projection for Kansas point guard Frank Mason. After leading the Jayhawks to their 13th consecutive Big 12 regular season title, the senior guard could be available when the Bucks pick at 48.
At 5'11", Mason is not the size of a modern point guard, and would instantly be the shortest player on Milwaukee. But his wingspan is over 6'3″ long, allowing him to recover some of his height disadvantage. His athleticism is also underrated, as he posted a 41″ vertical leap at the NBA combine, in the 97th percentile historically.
While Mason doesn't bring elite size to the equation, he does bring elite toughness, with no fear of attacking the rim on offense or opposing ball-handlers on defense. As the third point guard he can come in and lay everything out for a few minutes a game.
Mason's other key strength is his outside shooting. The Jayhawk guard hit 47 percent of his shots from long distance, on a robust 4.8 attempts per game. He did so both on pull-up shots and in catch-and-shoot situations playing off the ball alongside Devonte' Graham. On this Milwaukee roster, both aspects would be useful.
The reality is that Mason is unlikely to be a game-changer at the NBA level. He may spend his career fighting for the last couple of spots on an NBA roster. But many scouts said the same about Malcolm Brogdon last season, and Mason has proved doubters wrong since he first arrived at Kansas. The Bucks may benefit from not doubting him this time around.
Mar 23, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Baylor Bears forward Johnathan Motley (5) shoots the ball during practice the day before the East Regional semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
4. Johnathan Motley, F, Baylor
One of the final players to officially toss his hat into the ring, Johnathan Motley was perhaps the Big 12's best player this season not named Frank Mason. The Baylor junior could be the next long forward to develop under Milwaukee's tutelage.
The first thing one notices about Motley is his size, as he is 6'9″ and boasts an incredible 7'4″ wingspan. Not only does that sound like a Milwaukee Buck, but his length was a key part of his weakside shot-blocking. The Bucks' second unit frontcourt – some combination of Greg Monroe, Michael Beasley and Mirza Teletovic – boasted no shot-blockers, and Motley would immediately inject some bounce into that group defensively.
Motley combines his physical tools with a strong drive on the court, especially attacking the glass. He pulled in 9.9 rebounds per game last season, a number that led the Big 12. While Motley needs to add weight to battle inside, he could grow into a small-ball center option early into his career.
The knock on Motley is that he lacks polish. He has all of the tools to succeed, but can he add the requisite skill to perform defensively and fit into an offensive scheme? And will a supposed lack of love for the game dial back his development?
If Milwaukee believes it can guide Motley to the intersection of his ability and potential, then they could get a steal in the second round. The only problem will be if another team decides to take the same risk before the Bucks are able to pick.
Mar 25, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Jordan Bell (1) goes after a loose ball with Kansas Jayhawks center Landen Lucas (33) during the first half in the finals of the Midwest Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Sprint Center. Oregon defeated Kansas 74-60. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
3. Jordan Bell, PF, Oregon
One of the NCAA Tournament's breakout stars, Jordan Bell looked like a man among boys through most of March Madness. In the absence of injured center Chris Boucher, Bell took over at center and helped lead the Ducks to the Final Four.
The 6'9″ power forward out of Oregon may be the best defender in the draft. That statement passes the statistical test (8.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks per game), the eye test (dominant defensive performance in Elite Eight victory over Kansas), and the award test (named PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year). Bell is simply a special player on that side of the ball.
Bell never pulled down fewer than 12 rebounds in any of the Ducks' five NCAA tournament games, including a season-high 16 boards in the Final Four. Against Kansas in the Elite Eight, Bell swatted away eight shots and most likely won Oregon the game on the defensive end.
What makes the junior big such an intriguing prospect is that he may have significant offensive upside as well. Bell's hustle and athleticism will make him a weapon in transition from day one, and his motor attacking the offensive glass should generate production as well. While Oregon didn't run many pick-and-rolls with Bell, his athleticism and excellent hands should translate to strong skills as a roll man.
What limits Bell is a lack of offensive skill, including the ability to generate offense. While he is hyper efficient – he shot 63.6 percent from the field this season, and 72.9 percent during the tournament – he relies on other players to set him up. Bell lacks a jumper from any range, has only one real post move, and won't be able to put the ball on the deck and create against NBA defenses.
Milwaukee is filled with shot creators, from Giannis Antetokounmpo to Jabari Parker to Malcolm Brogdon, so Bell's weakness isn't a death sentence. He won't fill a role such as Greg Monroe did this past season, but few fit that role as well as Moose. Bell's defensive upside is high enough that he would be a steal at No. 48.
Drafting a true game-changing player in the back half of the second round is a unique opportunity. While Bell lacks center size and a diverse offensive skill set, the areas he does excel in give him a role right away in the league.
2017 NCAA Tournament: 5 Players To Watch For In East Region
Feb 25, 2017; Hartford, CT, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs forward Semi Ojeleye (33) drives to the basket against the Connecticut Huskies in the second half at XL Center. SMU defeated UConn 69-61. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
2. Semi Ojeleye, F, SMU
The Milwaukee Bucks found a home this past season for Greg Monroe on their second units, where he starred as the primary creator offensively. Head coach Jason Kidd ran plays through Monroe in the high post, spotting up shooters and cutting behind the play to open up space and work to get open. This solved the problem of where to use Monroe and the problem of not having a strong bench creator.
Semi Ojeleye could be a solution to the second problem, whether Monroe leaves this offseason or next. At 6'7″ Ojeleye is right in the area of a combo forward, with a jacked frame capable of banging with power forwards. He showed the ability at SMU to run the offense, making plays with the ball in his hand.
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That isn't Ojeleye's only strength, as he also can catch-and-shoot anywhere on the perimeter. If defenders close out he then has the skills to put the ball on the deck, either pulling up in the midrange or finishing at the rim. He has good passing vision – not elite, but something that should continue to grow in time as he learns a new system.
He doesn't boast elite size or length, and probably will never be a rim protector at the 4. But he is above-average in almost every offensive category, and a player with no major offensive weaknesses is a valuable selection in the second round. He doesn't boast any elite offensive skills, but there is room for growth. He has a high work ethic and there is every reason to expect him to put in the work at the next level – a must on a Jason Kidd team.
The Bucks acquired Michael Beasley to fill a similar role, but whether he stays with the team is an unknown. Ojeleye could develop into filling the same sort of role Beasley filled, backing up Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker. The upside is there for him to grow into something more.
Mar 16, 2017; Buffalo, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) drives against Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers guard Greg Alexander (23) in the first half during the first round of the NCAA Tournament at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
1. Josh Hart, SG, Villanova
Some players hit the NBA Draft and teams are completely unsure how to evaluate them. Josh Hart is one of those players, as his skill set and accomplishments clash with his age and traditional basketball measurements. If other teams pass on Hart because of the latter, the Bucks could hit another home run in the second round.
Hart led Villanova to a national championship in 2016, then continued the momentum for most of this past season. The Wildcats finished 31-3 behind Hart's 18.7 points per game, and it's not a stretch to say he was their best offensive and defensive player. While they exited the tournament early, Hart wrote his resume all season, from a triple-double against St. Joseph's to 37 points and 11 rebounds in a victory over Notre Dame. Hart never once scored in single figures all season.
On offense, Hart's greatest strength was his efficiency. He shot 51 percent from the field despite being the primary perimeter option, pouring in 40.4 percent of his three-pointers and showing an underrated explosiveness around the rim. While he doesn't project as a primary ball-handler in the NBA, his bag of offensive tricks — incredible offensive rebounder for his size, strong finishing, ball protection — fill out an offensive portfolio that is very impressive given his draft stock.
Defensively, Hart combined savvy with size to lock down the opponent's best offensive players every night. While he was voted the Big East Player of the Year, he almost certainly could have Defensive Player of the Year as well. His quick hands and solid instincts should translate to the next level.
The problem with Hart from an NBA standpoint is his age. The Villanova senior is already 22, limiting his upside, and without elite athleticism he probably will not project as a starter. That being said, Tony Snell didn't look like a starter until he arrived in Milwaukee, and perhaps Jason Kidd and his staff can best utilize Hart and build him to that level. Even as a solid bench contributor, Hart would be a perfect fit for the Bucks on both ends of the court.
Whether some team wises up to Hart's value or he falls to Milwaukee, the intelligent, successful guard will surprise the league with how ready he is from day one. Last season the Bucks snagged that player in Malcolm Brogdon, and he ended up starting for them down the stretch. They would like to grab Hart and see him accomplish something similar in a green and black jersey.
