The Milwaukee Bucks raised eyebrows around the league Monday trading three first round picks to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for guard, Jrue Holiday. Today, experts are wondering how the Bucks could mortgage the future on a player who is not guaranteed to be in Milwaukee beyond this season (unless an extension is signed, Holiday will become a free agent following the upcoming season).
What experts looking to fuel their own narrative conveniently leave out of the discussion is this:
The NBA draft is the ultimate crap shoot.
Since the turn of the century, the Bucks have selected sixteen players in the first round. A total of seven were selected in the top-10.
Remember Yi Jianlian, Marcus Haislip & Joe Alexander? Each was a Bucks lottery pick. Each was a lottery bust. Since the year 2000, exactly one player selected by the Bucks in the first round turned into an all-star: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Yes, the Bucks roster is in need of inexpensive assistance. Assistance will be found in the second round of the draft and the free agent value bin.
No, I don’t think you will not hear the Bucks make a pick in tonight’s first round. But with this year’s COVID compromised college season, and COVID compromised scouting process, it’s not a bad year to sit out.