The 2013-14 season was a brutal one for the Milwaukee Bucks, but under new ownership, the franchise's future is as bright as ever. No longer shackled by the desires of former owner Herb Kohl to reach the playoffs each year, the Bucks have a chance to actually build something.
Bucks hope No. 2 pick ushers in new era
It was an ugly season in Milwaukee, but with some talented young players and new ownership, things could be different going forward.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sport
That makes this summer -- and the 2014 draft in particular -- potentially special for Milwaukee.
Over the years, being mediocre didn't just mean missing out on championships, it meant forfeiting the best odds at high picks in the draft. Milwaukee has rarely had those, which makes it rather impressive that the team has landed talented players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and John Henson with their picks.
It also makes this draft, when Milwaukee selects No. 2 overall, especially important for the franchise. If the Bucks can hit right on this pick and continue building around the young players already in house, they might not be good soon, but the pieces will be in place. That’s further than we’ve seen this club get in a long time.
The assets
Picks: Nos. 2, 31, 36, 48
Free Agents: Jeff Adrien (player option), Ramon Sessions (UFA), Ekpe Udoh (RFA)
Cap space: $15.3 million
Depth chart
PG: Brandon Knight, Nate Wolters, Ramon Sessions (UFA)
SG: Khris Middleton, O.J. Mayo
SF: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Carlos Delfino
PF: Ersan Ilyasova, John Henson, Jeff Adrien (player option)
C: Larry Sanders, Zaza Pachulia, Ekpe Udoh (RFA), Miroslav Raduljica
Team needs
Considering the Bucks won 15 games last season, the biggest thing this team needs is more talent. A starting backcourt featuring Brandon Knight and O.J. Mayo just won’t cut it on a legitimate contender, the wings are lacking in depth and experience, and who knows what Larry Sanders will end up doing next season.
Milwaukee might need help in certain areas more than others -- such as interior scoring -- but the goal here will be to find the best available player who fits with the franchise. Team needs become less important when your team needs so much.
Targets
Building toward the future means avoiding mistakes in the present, so expect Milwaukee to avoid high-risk deals throughout the offseason. If there’s anywhere for the Bucks to cover their eyes and take a shot on someone, it’s probably in the second round of the draft, where the team owns a pair of early picks, rather than at the top of the first.
Most likely, the selection at No. 2 overall will be determined by who goes No. 1. With Joel Embiid expected to slide after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right foot, it will likely be either Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker, barring a major surprise.
Of course, Milwaukee could still pull the trigger on Embiid and hope he’s a true franchise center. But given the presence of Sanders and his long-term deal, it will probably be easier for Milwaukee to pass on the draft’s ultimate high-risk/high-reward prospect. New co-owner Marc Lasry essentially ruled out Embiid as a possibility the weekend before the draft.
Otherwise, the Bucks’ biggest action will come if someone decides to trade for Ilyasova, Knight or any other veteran pieces. The team would probably be thrilled to move Mayo, but there likely won’t be much interest after his disastrous season.
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