Milwaukee Bucks 2022 NBA Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

With the NBA draft now just three weeks away, it is that time of the year to start looking at potential prospects that the Milwaukee Bucks could select with the 24th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

As one of the oldest teams in the league, the Bucks are in desperate need of some young talent to add to the roster. While the Milwaukee Bucks have traded their first-round pick away in each of the last three years, there is reason to believe that this year Milwaukee will make their pick.

After watching some game film on each of these players, here are my thoughts on some of the prospects that draft experts have the Milwaukee Bucks selecting in their recent mock drafts.

Jonathon Givony – ESPN

Pick 24 – Walker Kessler, C, Auburn

"“Kessler was the best defender in college basketball this season, a force as a rim protector who also brings upside as a pick-and-roll finisher and even as a perimeter shooter.”"

When Givony says that Kessler was the best defender in college basketball this year, he really means it. Kessler averaged a ridiculous 4.6 blocks per game in his sophomore year at Auburn and deservingly won the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year award.

Although he’s not the most explosive or the most athletic player, Kessler can oftentimes make up for his athleticism with his size and length. In the clip above, see how Kessler switches onto the smaller and much quicker guard and still does not allow a layup that has any chance of going in. With Brook Lopez only getting older, stocking up at the center position with Kessler, who turns 21 soon, would be a great way to add youth to the team.

Kevin O’Connor – The Ringer

Pick 24 – Kendall Brown, SF, Baylor

"“Outstanding athlete with a great sense for how to get open. It helps that he’s a leaper who explodes even in traffic and possesses expert body control. While handling the ball, he does a nice job of using angles to generate space.”"

As one of the best athletes in the draft, Brown is able to use his athleticism to make him a great finisher inside. Brown ended up recording the second highest max vertical leap at the combine this year with 41″.  Brown can lock up many different positions defensively when he is at his best. Although Brown shot 38.9% from 3 this past year, it was only on 36 attempts. Brown still needs to gain confidence as a shooter to be a scoring threat in the NBA.

Kyle Boone – CBS Sports

Pick 24 – Kennedy Chandler, PG, Tennessee

"“Chandler’s a lightning-quick talent who can blow by defenders and knows how to masterfully manipulate defenses with the rock in his hands.”"

Chandler is the true definition of a hustler. A scrappy, quick guard who leaves it all on the floor. Chandler averaged 2.1 steals per game as a freshman at Tennessee last year and played well as one of the main facilitators on the Tennessee offense, averaging 4.6 assists per game. The biggest knock on Chandler is his measurements. At just 6’1″, 172-pounds, being heavily targeted on defense in the NBA is a possibility.

Jeremy Woo – Sports Illustrated 

Pick 24 – MarJon Beauchamp, SF, G League Ignite

"He has prototypical size and length on the wing, and if he can develop into a consistent shooter, there’s a reasonable chance he becomes a nice 3-and-D rotation player. The fact Beauchamp turns 22 this year and is still somewhat raw and inexperienced for his age has been a holdup for some scouts, but he’s a valid developmental bet in the 20s."

Beauchamp is a fairly raw prospect but has many positive tools that could see him become a good rotational piece in the coming years. With a 7’1″ wingspan, Beauchamp is a fantastic rebounder and on-ball defender. He can guard multiple positions and hold his own on switches to big men in the post despite being 6’5″.

Beauchamp has struggled as a shooter, only shooting 24.2% from 3 this past season, despite his mechanics looking pretty good. After watching some film, I would argue that Beauchamp is less of a project than many scouts claim he is.

Jonathan Wasserman – Bleacher Report

Pick 24 – Christian Braun, SG/SF, Kansas

"“Athletic, competitive and 6’6″, Braun elevated his pick-and-roll feel and defense enough for teams to have an easier time picturing a role player.”"

Braun is a crafty two-way player that can do a bit of everything. Using his athleticism and lateral quickness, Braun is a great finisher at the rim and is a good spot-up shooter, though he has struggled shooting off the dribble at times.

Defensively, he can be a menace, using his superior height at the guard position to his advantage. Braun is a jack of all trades, master of none, who may need to become an elite spot-up shooter to play substantial NBA minutes.

Stefanos Makris – NBADraft.Net

Pick 24 – Ousmane Dieng, SF/PF, New Zealand Breakers

"“Ousmane Dieng is the definition of a “high ceiling – low floor” prospect … The sky is the limit, but if taken too high he can just as easily fall through the floorboards … The French wing surely passes the eye test, being a smooth point forward with nice size and length.”"

Dieng is the player with the most variance in where he could end up in the draft. Some mock drafts have him as high as 12, while others have him firmly at the end of the first round. Dieng is by far the biggest project in this year’s draft. He is not close to contributing to a contending team.

Being 6’10”, Dieng can handle the ball exceptionally well for his height. He should be able to be a good defender with his build. But Dieng’s offense is simply not at an NBA level right now. He shot 35.3% from the field and 21.3% from 3 this past year. Dieng has one of the highest upsides in the draft this year, but it is better for the Milwaukee Bucks to draft a player who can contribute immediately in some way.

It will be fun to see what the Bucks do with the 24th pick this year. In my opinion, it would be best to keep the pick and draft an athletic wing who can immediately work his way into the rotation. I think, if available, Kendall Brown at 24 would be a great pick for the Milwaukee Bucks.

What do you think of these potential Bucks picks? Who do you want the Bucks to select?

All statistics are courtesy of Sports Reference