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4 International prospects the Milwaukee Bucks could consider with their only draft pick

By Todd Welter

Mar 30, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; The Milwaukee Bucks logo on the floor prior o the game against the Phoenix Suns at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 105-94. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; The Milwaukee Bucks logo on the floor prior o the game against the Phoenix Suns at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 105-94. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Milwaukee Bucks have just a single draft pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and it is the final selection.

General manager Jon Horst does not have to trade for the final pick this time around.

He has acquired the final pick in the second round in the past two drafts. Georgios Kalaitzakis was taken by the Indiana Pacers in 2021 and then was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.

He played in only nine games for Milwaukee before being waived.

Horst struck another deal with the Pacers last year for the rights to Hugo Besson. Besson played in France for the Metropolitans 92 in the LNB Pro A last season. He was teammates with projected No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama.

Besson averaged 12.6 points per game, shot 50.8% from the field, and 35.6% from three-point range. If Joe Ingles departs in free agency, Besson could be a cheap replacement if he chooses to come over for next season.

Given that Horst has a track record of using the final pick on European players, it would not be shocking for him to take another player he can stash overseas. The Milwaukee Bucks face a tight salary cap issue if Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton sign extensions.

Next season, The Bucks’ payroll will likely put them in the luxury tax. The new salary cap rules mean the Bucks might have to forfeit their mid-level exception.

Since it is highly doubtful to find a plug-and-play rotational player with the No. 58 pick, it makes sense for Horst to stick with his preference to take a foreign player. It also means he would not have to add payroll until that player is ready to come over.

Although, two Euro players that would be ideal draft-and-stash players for the Milwaukee Bucks are not available.

ESPN.com thought Zvonimir Ivisic would be a player Horst would draft. Another mock draft projected Nikola Djurisic as the Bucks selection. Alas, both players withdrew from draft consideration.

There are still some talented players Horst could take and stash overseas. He also could draft one of these players and send them to the G League to work on their games.

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