Bucks: 10 prospects to know with 31st overall pick in 2021 NBA Draft

Time doesn’t stand still for anyone. Not even the NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. Just over a week removed from their championship-clinching performance in Game 6, the NBA Draft is already upon us.

The Bucks hold the 31st overall pick–the first pick in the second round–thanks to their trade to acquire P.J. Tucker from the Houston Rockets. A move that saw Milwaukee send the Rockets their own first-rounder in the deal.

It’s still unclear whether the Bucks will keep this pick and acquire a young, cheap player with potential or move it to acquire a proven veteran for their championship defense next season. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor is v the Bucks are shopping the pick in pursuit of a deal.

In the event they keep it, let’s take a quick look at 10 potential prospects the Bucks could select thanks to the draft guides from both The Ringer and The Athletic. 

The Milwaukee Bucks hold the 31st overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and you should quickly get to know these 10 prospects.

10. Josh Christopher, Guard, Arizona State

Pros: Athleticism–can finish above the rim and through contact, can create his own shot with his dribble, could turn into someone who can defend point guards, combo guards, and smaller wings–he will need to develop on this end though

Cons: Shot can be all over the place–a lot of inconsistency, gets tunnel vision when the ball is in his hands and can’t see the open man, doesn’t engage consistently on defense

9. Jason Preston, Guard, Ohio

Pros: Could play right away, point guard with great vision to set his teammates up, would be great in the pick-and-roll with Giannis Antetokounmpo, can make deep threes,

Cons: Can’t create his own shot, lack of elite athleticism, not a good defender with little potential to develop on that end

8. Nah’Shon Hyland, Guard, VCU

Pros: High upside player, good three-point shooter both when creating his own shot and when spacing the floor in a catch-and-shoot role, long wingspan

Cons: Doesn’t have good passing vision, needs to work on ball-handling skills, needs to add strength, lack of focus on defense

7. Quinten Grimes, Guard, Houston

Pros: Works hard on defense, could become a very good on-ball defender, good 3-point shooter with quick release

Cons: Not a shot-creator for himself or teammates, not a good passer

6. Miles McBride, Guard, West Virginia

Pros: Loves to play defense, willing passer to set up teammates, keeps everything in front of him on defense, hit 41.4 percent of his threes

Cons: Not a shot-creator, can’t create separation from opponents on offense,

5. Day’Ron Sharpe, Big, North Carolina

Pros: High potential on defense, finishes well at the rim, hustles on both ends of the court–especially offensive glass, could be part of a switching defense

Cons: Little outside shot, don’t want the ball in his hands for passing, ball-handling or shooting, needs to refine defensive fundamentals

4. Ayo Dosunmo, Guard, Illinois

Pros: Strength, constant improvement with his shot, can become a lockdown defender who can guard multiple positions, works his tail off

Cons: Not a good spot-up 3-point shooter, lack of elite athleticism, makes risky decisions, right-hand dominant

3. Joshua Primo, Wing, Alabama

Pros: Could develop into another scorer, great range on three-point shot, good at catch-and-shoot, works hard defending on-ball, great energy and effort

Cons: Needs to improve handles, not a great athlete, lots of turnovers

2. Tre Mann, Guard, Florida

Pros: Good spot-up shooter, can also knock down threes off his dribble, can create shots for himself or teammates,

Cons: Lack of great athleticism, doesn’t engage on defense

1. Rokas Jokubaitis, Guard, Zalgiris

Pros: Could stash him and save money until he comes over, crafty playmaker, should turn into a good three-point shooter, pick-and-roll potential,

Cons: Needs to work on his range, lack of great athleticism