CHICAGO – The Milwaukee Bucks know when their selection is during the first round of the NBA draft on June 23.
Now the team has to decide what to do with the pick in one of the most consequential summers in franchise history.
During the NBA’s draft lottery on May 10 at McCormick Place convention center, the Bucks were awarded the 10th pick.
“We’re really excited about this position in the draft,” Bucks GM Jon Horst said after the lottery results were revealed. “We’ve done a lot of studying in this position in the draft, we’ll be prepared for it, it’s a really deep draft.
“It would have been great to be at the top, it’s really, really great not to move down any of these spots. We’re super excited with the outcome.”
After finishing a disappointing season 32-50, the Bucks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16. The 2016 draft was the last time Milwaukee was part of the draft lottery, when the team selected Thon Maker at No. 10.
This year’s draft lottery marks the first significant date in a crucial stretch for the Bucks. The future of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo hangs in the balance after years of speculation about what the two-time NBA MVP wants to do.
Antetokounmpo can’t sign an extension with the Bucks until Oct. 1. He has often stated that he would love to stay in Milwaukee if the team can put together a championship-worthy roster.
Co-owner Jimmy Haslam said the team will decide to either trade Antetokounmpo or continue to build around him by the draft in June.
With the 10th pick in hand, the team’s options become a little clearer. If the Bucks think they can get a future centerpiece player in a loaded draft class, they can keep the selection. Or they can package the pick in a trade for roster reinforcements.
The Bucks are officially on the clock.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks win the No. 10 pick in the NBA draft lottery
Reporting by Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
