Milwaukee Bucks Need a Guard

The Milwaukee Bucks entire backcourt (Jennings, Ellis, Redick) is set to hit free agency on July 1st, and none of them are expect to return next season.  This leaves the Bucks with a major hole on their roster, and it is something they need to address in this year's NBA Draft.

The Bucks currently hold the 15th overall pick, and if the draft plays out how I expect it to, the Bucks will be deciding between three players - Shane Larkin, Dennis Schroeder, and Glen Rice Jr.  All three of these players have a good possibility of being selected by the Bucks, but Shane Larkin is the best option for them.  

Shane Larkin is the best pick-and-roll point guard in the draft, and is one of the better athletes too.  Even though he is the smallest guard in the draft at six feet tall, he is a pesky defender, who is an excellent ball handler and shooter.    

Shane Larkin would be a great fit alongside Larry Sanders and John Henson, due to his athleticism, ability to handle the ball, and solid leadership skills.  Shane Larkin is the best option for the Bucks now and in the future, and he is a player the Milwaukee Bucks cannot afford to pass on in the draft.  

2013 NBA Mock Draft: Picks 1-10

The NBA Draft is only a few days away, and this draft has been very unpredictable, starting from the first overall selection.  There will be numerous surprises, with a few players sliding down the draft board, as well a few obvious selections.  Here is how I see the 2013 NBA Draft going:

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Alex Len, Maryland, 7'1", C: The Cavaliers have numerous options with the first overall selection, but the player who would be the best selection is Alex Len.  Alex Len is a highly talented 20-year-old skilled big man, who is a terrific rebounder and shot blocker that can score from all areas of the court.  He possess huge upside, making him a great pick for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2. Orlando Magic: Nerlens Noel, Kentucky, 7'0", C: The Magic ranked 24th in blocked shots this past season, and Nerlens Noel would fill a major need on this team.  Nerlens Noel is a long, athletic center that led college basketball with 4.4 blocks per game a year ago.  His injury history and lack of strength are a major weakness for him, but his defensive abilities make him a player the Magic cannot afford to pass on.

3. Washington Wizards: Otto Porter, Georgetown, 6'9", SF: Since the NBA Draft Lottery, Otto Porter has been linked to the Washington Wizards.  If the Wizards hold onto their third overall selection Porter will be their guy.  He is an elite defender, who has a great midrange game, and is a good, unselfish passer.  Otto Porter is the closest player to a sure thing in this year's draft, and he would fit nicely into the Wizards young core of players.

4. Charlotte Bobcats: Anthony Bennett, UNLV, 6'8", PF:  Anthony Bennett has more upside than any other player in this year's draft, and he would provide the Bobcats with a much-needed scoring threat down low.  Even though he is undersized for the power forward position, he is an athletic forward, that is an excellent rebounder, and can shoot inside and out.  Anthony Bennett will develop into an All-Star caliber player, while dominating the paint for the Bobcats for the years to come.

5. Phoenix Suns: Victor Oladipo, Indiana, 6'4", SG: Victor Oladipo has very few question marks coming into the NBA Draft, and he has strengths that many few other players have.  He has elite athleticism, with a high-energy motor, and is tenacious on the defensive side.  He is the safest option in the NBA Draft, and it is just a matter of time until he develops into a great NBA player.

6. New Orleans Pelicans: Trey Burke, Michigan, 6'1", PG: Trey Burke is the best point guard in this year's draft, and he is exactly what the Pelicans need.  The Pelicans have been looking for a great point guard to team up with Anthony Davis to run the pick and roll, and Burke is their guy.  He is a strong, physical guard who sees the floor very well, and is a solid shooter.  Trey Burke would be an excellent fit with the young Pelicans team.

7. Sacramento Kings: C.J. McCollum, Lehigh, 6'3", PG: The Sacramento Kings have been searching for a dynamic point guard over the last few years, and C.J. McCollum is their guy.  McCollum is an electric scorer, who is an excellent rebounder and picks up a number of steals per game, while excelling in transition.  C.J. McCollum will not become the next Damian Lillard like many people expect, but he has the tools to become a solid NBA player.

8. Detroit Pistons: Michael Carter-Williams, Syracuse, 6'6", PG: Michael Carter-Williams has elite size for a point guard making him a solid defender who racks up steals often, and a great scorer in the paint.  He would be an excellent fit along Brandon Knight, and is capable of playing the point and the two due to his size.  The Pistons would be excited to draft Carter-Williams with their eighth overall pick to go along with their already impressive young core of players.

9. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Georgia, 6'6", SG: It seems that Caldwell-Pope is a consensus pick at number nine.  Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a deadly shooter with deep range and a quick release on his jump shot.  Besides being a great athlete and superb shooter, Caldwell-Pope is a good passer and excellent defender.  He fits well along side Rickey Rubio and should be a solid guard for the T-Wolves for many years.

10. Portland Trail Blazers: Ben McLemore, Kansas, 6'5", SG: Here will be the biggest surprise of the draft, Ben McLemore sliding all the way down to the number 10 pick.  He is a superb athlete that is a dangerous shooter, with excellent range, and he is a solid defensive player.  There is no question that he is talented, but his poor workouts have hurt his value, causing him to slide down the draft board.  McLemore would be a great fit along side Damian Lillard, and the Blazers would be happy if he falls right in their lap.

Milwaukee Bucks Moving Up

The Milwaukee Bucks currently hold the 15th overall pick in this year's NBA Draft, but would they be better off moving up?  A few weeks ago there was a rumor that the Bucks and Washington Wizards were discussing a deal the was centered around the third overall pick and Ersan Ilyasova.

It is unlikely that the Wizards would agree to a direct swap of the third overall pick for Ilyasova.  If the Bucks are willing to send their 15th overall pick to the Wizards and take on Trevor Ariza or Nene's contract, then there is a real possibility this deal could get done.

For the Bucks, if this deal is able to get done, it would be a great trade for them now and in the future, but only if they acquire Trevor Ariza, who only has a year remaining on his contract.  The Bucks would be able to unload the underperforming, overpaid Ersan Ilyasova, while acquiring a veteran scorer on a one year deal, and most importantly, move up in the draft.

With the third overall pick the Bucks would have many options, but their best option would be drafting point guard Trey Burke.  Trey Burke is a strong, physical guard who is an above average shooter that possesses decent range, and is an exceptional passer.  He does need to improve slightly defensively, but he is a true point guard, who would fit nicely in the Bucks starting lineup along Larry Sanders and John Henson.

The Milwaukee Bucks need to make a splash in this year's NBA Draft, and to do so, they need to acquire the third overall pick and select the highly talented Trey Burke.

The Milwaukee Bucks Need to Strike Gold in the NBA Draft

The Milwaukee Bucks need to draft a player who will make an immediate impact right away and someone that will develop into a good starter in the future.  The Bucks can't draft a guy who will take years to develop into a bench player like Larry Sanders, or a player like Joe Alexander, who was a complete bust and is now flipping burgers at the local McDonalds.  The Bucks need to address their biggest need and draft Tyler Zeller.  He would be the best fit for the Bucks because he is experienced, tall, runs the floor very well, and has a great touch around the basket.  People think that Meyers Leonard would be a good player to draft because of his upside, but he isn't experienced, too much of a risk and wouldn't help the Bucks right away.  If the Bucks want to be competitive and have a chance to make the playoffs they need to draft Tyler Zeller.  If the Bucks decided not to draft Tyler Zeller or trade for an experienced center, the Bucks will be just as bad this year as they were last year, and it will be the last year Scott Skiles coaches the Bucks.

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