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Milwaukee Bucks roundtable: Checking in on the 2018 NBA Draft

By Brian Sampson

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies during the first half of the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies during the first half of the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 22: Robert Williams #44 of the Texas A&M Aggies dunks the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Staples Center on March 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Texas A&M Aggies 99-72. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 22: Robert Williams #44 of the Texas A&M Aggies dunks the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament West Regional at Staples Center on March 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Texas A&M Aggies 99-72. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2. What position do you expect the Bucks to target?

Gage Bridgford: I see the team addressing the center position if a player like Robert Williams of Texas A&M is still on the board or a two-way wing player to increase their lineup flexibility. Players such as Aaron Holiday, Khyri Thomas and Mitchell Robinson could all be on the board when they select at 17. All three of them would address direct needs, by adding either size or shooting to a lineup that needs it.

Tony Snell was expected to be one of the team’s scorers off the bench, but he was unable to maintain the breakout shooting that he had in 2016. A player such as Thomas would be a great pick if he’s on the board. After averaging 41 percent from three last season, he has a promising shooting stroke for the team to watch for to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Brian Sampson: I agree with Gage. The Bucks will almost certainly target a wing who can space the floor and give Anetokounmpo and Khris Middleton more room to work with or a big man who can actually secure a defensive rebound.

Both outside shooting and rebounding are two major areas of needs for Milwaukee and they will certainly look to help themselves in the draft. Hopefully, they can hit on a player who can contribute, unlike their past few first round selections.

Anthony Haag: The Bucks were arguably lacking at the 5 all season long and that was amplified in the playoff until Maker became playoff Maker. If Horst and Coach Budenholzer decide to keep the first pick and since they do not have a second round pick this year, I fully expect them to target a center. Ownership has been marketing ‘Own the Future’ for awhile, so if they are actually going to ‘Own the Future’ the time is now to put some better talent around Antetokounmpo.

They have some building blocks in place, but if this team is going to advance to beyond the first round of the playoffs, they are going to need a center who can protect the rim and grab some boards. Antetokounmpo lead the team in rebounds averaging 10 per game. The next closest was John Henson who averaged 6.8 per game, and then Maker with three per game. Clearly, this is a position of need for the Bucks.

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