Milwaukee Bucks Target Length On The Wing In NBA Draft

HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 03: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image was captured using a remote camera) Andre … [+] Jackson Jr. #44 of the Connecticut Huskies is fouled as he drives to the basket during the second half against the San Diego State Aztecs during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament National Championship game at NRG Stadium on April 03, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The Milwaukee Bucks had a particular type of player they targeted during the 2023 NBA Draft and afterward: Wings with length.

They entered the event holding only the 58th pick in the draft (the final selection due to the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls forfeiting their second-rounders due to violations of league rules). That marked the fourth consecutive year in which they held the final selection.

Milwaukee was rumored to be one of several teams interested in moving into the late first or early second, and that’s exactly what they did. Near the end of the first round, they agreed to a deal with the Orlando Magic
MAGIC
that netted the Bucks the 36th overall pick in exchange for a 2030 second-rounder and cash considerations. Due to the nature of NBA trade rules, the deal wasn’t made official until after the draft.

They grabbed Connecticut’s Andre Jackson Jr. with that pick. On the surface, his box score numbers don’t look worthy of a draft pick: He averaged only 6.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists during his best and last year in college.

However, Milwaukee hopes his impact runs a lot deeper.

Jackson Jr. has a high basketball I.Q., allowing him to thrive on both ends of the court and make a profound impact. He makes up for what he lacks in an outside shot in his ability to read and understand the game, athleticism, knowledge about how to cut off the ball and non-stop motor.

He also began a trend for Milwaukee: Wings with length. Jackson is 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan.

Moving on to Milwaukee’s second and final pick, they grabbed Chris Livingston with the 58th selection.

Some draft shenanigans were going on with Livingston, as his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, canceled his seven remaining draft workouts on June 8th and was calling teams in the second round on Thursday night, asking them not to draft his client. It appears Milwaukee was the destination all along, grabbing the freshman out of Kentucky.

Livingston is only 19 and has a lot of work to do. He put up pedestrian numbers during his freshman season, averaging 6.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.

He has a lot of work to do on the offensive side of the ball, but he possesses the physical pedigree to succeed in the NBA. It will just take time to get there. He’s 6-foot-6 with a massive 6-foot-11 wingspan to go along with a strong frame. Sound familiar?

If that wasn’t enough, Milwaukee added yet another wing prospect with a similar athletic profile to a two-way contract shortly after the Draft, Omari Moore, out of San Jose State.

Moore spent four years there in college and improved every season. He displayed a more well-rounded offensive game than the other two prospects and will have a chance to show that off in Summer League and with the Wisconsin Herd this season.

You shouldn’t wonder too hard about the size and length he brings to the table—he’s 6-foot-6 with a wingspan that’s just under 6-foot-10.

The NBA loves wings that can shoot and play defense during this era. Nobody has enough of them. The Bucks are no different.

Khris Middleton declined his player option (although the team hopes he’s back), Joe Ingles and Jae Crowder are free agents, and Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton are potential trade candidates. That leaves a lot of question marks on the wing—ones the Bucks hope can be answered by one of these players in the future.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/briansampson/2023/06/23/milwaukee-bucks-target-length-on-the-wing-in-nba-draft/