NBA Draft rumors: Andrew Wiggins isn’t in Bucks top 2, per report
The Bucks might not be interested in the player on top of some teams’ draft boards.
Andy Lyons
Andrew Wiggins might be No. 1 on a number of draft boards, but according to ESPN Insider's Chad Ford, the former Kansas star isn't going to end up with the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 2 if he slides past the top pick:
And if Wiggins doesn't go No. 1? I don't think he's in the top two on the Milwaukee Bucks' board right now, which means he would fall to the Philadelphia 76ers -- a team that has had Wiggins as its top target all season.
Why it makes sense
The Bucks have put a lot of stock in last year's first-round pick, Giannis Antetokounmpo, a 6'9 19-year-old from Greece who is incredibly athletic, but still a project. If the organization believes in Antetokounmpo's development, it doesn't make sense for them to also invest in Wiggins, who is a similar type of player.
NBA Draft
Milwaukee has indicated that they plan to find players who complement Antetokounmpo's skill set, and in that case, it makes more sense to go with Jabari Parker. Wiggins is a much better defender than Parker, but Antetokounmpo is already a solid defender, and Parker can give the Bucks an offensive boost. If Joel Embiid is available at No. 2, that's a no-brainer for the Bucks, who will have two very promising young players on their roster and could trade away current center Larry Sanders to add another piece to the rebuilding project.
Why it doesn’t make sense
Wiggins is rated as one of the best players in the draft by almost everyone, so the chance to take a player of his caliber can’t be overlooked. Antetokounmpo still has a ways to go in his development, and Wiggins can step in immediately and be a strong starter on the wing. It’s important to take players that fit your system, but the Bucks passing on Wiggins just because they’ve already invested a lot in Antetokounmpo could end up backfiring. If it happens, it appears the 76ers would be glad to take him.
Likelihood: 8/10
See More:
