Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker should be a Milwaukee Buck on June 26
By: Marques Eversoll
Despite being the league’s worst team in 2013-14, winning just 15 games all season, the Milwaukee Bucks lost again at Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery, as the Cleveland Cavaliers (33-49) pulled off what seems to be their annual act of landing the No. 1 overall pick.
The Cavs own the top pick for the third time in four years, while the Bucks, stuck in basketball purgatory, haven’t picked first since taking Andrew Bogut No. 1 in 2005 and haven’t picked in the top ten since 2009. But this year, there are three guys that would be No. 1 overall-caliber most years, so the Bucks are sitting pretty at No. 2.
All things considered, this offseason could be a turning point for the team. They’ve got new ownership, eyes on a new arena and a chance to draft the potential face of the franchise. Duke frosh Jabari Parker and Kansas frosh Andrew Wiggins are, by most accounts, the top two players in this year’s draft.
Their draft board should be pretty simple: 1) Andrew Wiggins, 1a) Jabari Parker.
It’s been 10 years since their last All-Star selection, and the “safe thing” would be to draft whomever is still on the board at No. 2 between Wiggins and Parker. If they’re both sitting there at two, take whichever one is ranked higher. Or move down to 3 and let the 76ers make your decision for you. Either way, Wiggins or Parker should be a Milwaukee Buck on June 26. No questions asked.
But because this whole LeBron James returning to Cleveland thing could potentially have some legs, as the Cavaliers have a strong young nucleus and a much better supporting cast than what James had in his seven years in Cleveland, I think the Cavs will be between two players at No. 1: Wiggins and Embiid.
If there’s one player in the top three that would be a challenge to pair with James, it’s Parker. Drafting Wiggins would allow the Cavs to cut ties with Dion Waiters, giving Kyrie Irving a supremely athletic running mate on the wing. Grabbing Embiid would give the Cavs a potential game changer at point guard and a top-notch rim protector in the paint. Sounds like the perfect situation for James to finish the prime of his career. Although, for the record, I don’t think the guy is leaving Miami.
Parker will likely be on the board for the Bucks at No. 2. If it were up to me, I’d be really tempted by Wiggins, but nobody on the planet with a fully functional brain would second guess taking Parker. He’s a Day 1 starter and a guy that could flirt with 20 points per game in his first season.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to how the Bucks can chalk up this offseason as a success:
1. Draft Jabari Parker
If Wiggins is off the board, you take Parker at No. 2.
You’re the Milwaukee Bucks. You’re at the plate with a chance to hit a Sac Fly and draft what looks like a surefire franchise player in Parker, so don’t swing for the fences and take Embiid who could be a homer in Hakeem Olajuwon, probably isn’t a whiff in Hasheem Thabeet, but might be a foul ball and subsequent sprained ankle in Greg Oden.
Going with Parker over Embiid isn’t a knock on the latter. I actually really like Embiid as a player; if he stays healthy, he could be Olajuwon but his floor might be Serge Ibaka. But big bodies tend to be fragile, and this is a 20-year-old 7-footer already dealing with back issues.
Do the safe thing and draft Parker at No. 2. The fact that drafting Jabari Parker is the “safe thing” should be reason enough to just do it. He’s “the guy” in Milwaukee the moment Adam Silver calls his name.
Let’s be honest, if the unthinkable happens and Parker busts, nobody saw that coming. It’s (another) free pass for John Hammond. If Hammond takes Embiid at No. 2 and he busts, then about half of your fan base shrugs its shoulders and shakes its collective head.
2. Acquire a second first-round pick
Second-round picks are nice, and the Bucks have actually fared pretty well picking in Round 2, historically, but if they have a chance to add a player, specifically a point guard or combo guard, then they should pull the trigger.
Imagine a draft that lands Parker – who immediately becomes your franchise player – at No. 2, then a developmental rotational guy who you hope develops into a starter, such as UCLA’s Zach Levine or Louisiana-Lafeyette super sleeper Elfrid Payton. Pair either of them with Brandon Knight and you have something to work with, as all three players could likely play 1 or 2 guard.
The Bucks have the top pick of Round 2 and two additional second-round picks. With those three picks, Mayo and Ilyasova potentially on the trade block, the Bucks certainly have the pieces in place to undergo a roster reshuffle.
In order for the Bucks to get out of the NBA’s “no-man’s land,” constantly settling for mediocrity, they needed to land a top draft pick in a year with a star-studded class. This is the year. They’d be wise to do all they can to brand this year’s draft as a “new beginning.” Take your difference maker at No. 2, then get back in to the middle of the first round and get him a running mate.
3. Stick with Larry Sanders
He had a bad year, but you’ve invested in him. If the Packers are willing to give Colt Lyerla a second chance, then the Bucks should give Larry Sanders his fifth … or whatever. It all seriousness, Sanders tilts the court in the Bucks’ favor on the defensive end when he’s at his best.
If he keeps his head on straight, there aren’t many big men around the league that can alter as many shots as Sanders. Having Giannis on the perimeter and Sanders in the paint gives the Bucks a long and disruptive defensive nucleus that could help mask the defensive deficiencies of a more offensively skilled player like Parker.
4. Trade O.J. Mayo and Ersan Ilyasova
Trade him for anything, really. That three-year, $24 million is just not going to work out. And if you’re adding a go-to scorer on the wing like Parker or Wiggins, I’m not sure Mayo is a guy you want lurking around, hogging the basketball in your top pick’s rookie season.
The Bucks could use help across the board, but adding another point guard is vital. It could be a veteran, or perhaps Mayo could be used as trade bait on draft night with the Bucks hoping to replace him with a young guy.
As far as Ilyasova, his five-year, $40 million contract looks just as bad, if not worse. It’s time to admit mistake and cut ties with Ersan. You might not get equal value for Mayo and Ilyasova from a personnel standpoint, but it’s the right thing to do in the long run.
5. Get new uniforms
The final step. There’s nothing wrong with the Bucks’ current uniforms—they’re fine. But the old ones were so much better. Heck, their new-school red “throwback” uniform is by far their best current option.
If I had it my way, I’d go back to old Bucks logo with the deer spinning the ball on his finger. Swag.
Either way, getting new uniforms and creating a new “identity” would certainly get some people excited. Regardless of whom the Bucks take at No. 2, they’re sure to sell a lot of jerseys in Milwaukee. You’ll sell even more if the jerseys actually look cool.
For the record, I love these concepts from sportslogos.net. Give a tip of the cap to the good old days, while starting a new era of Bucks basketball. Make it happen – get new threads.
You can hear Marques on SportsLine, Monday through Friday 4:00-6:00pm on WDUZ 107.5 FM and 1400 AM “The Fan” and on the Saturday Morning Showcase at 8 am on Saturdays. You can follow him on Twitter @MJEversoll and/or email him at [email protected].
