The Milwaukee Bucks have a lot of decisions to make before the NBA draft’s first round June 23.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future hangs over everything, but picking a good player in the draft is also important for the team’s future.
The Bucks are slated to have the No. 10 selection in the first round, but there is always a lot of wheeling and dealing with the draft.
Here are a few players who could land with the Bucks:
NATE AMENT, Tennessee (6-foot-10 forward, 209 pounds)
2025-26 per-game statistics: 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 33.3% on 3-pointers.
Scouting report: Ament spent an up-and-down season at Tennessee but showed the outlines of a high-level bucket-getter. He looks more comfortable taking jumpers than attacking the basket. He still needs to gain strength, as he struggled finishing through contact (45% shooting at the rim).
Why he would make sense for Bucks: There just aren’t that many people who are 6-10 and can move fluidly and have the dribbling, passing and shooting skills that Ament boasts. This would be a big swing for the future, not next season.
Why he wouldn’t be right pick for Bucks: The Bucks have taken big swings before on prospects like Thon Maker and A.J. Johnson. Those didn’t work out. Milwaukee needs an infusion of talent, but it would be most helpful if that talent can contribute right away.
What Ament said at NBA combine: “Just as much as I am an investment for them, there’s also going to be the next step in my life and hopefully [get picked by] a team I would love to spend the rest of my career with. Whatever team I get drafted to, I would love to stay in one city. Ultimately, it’s not going to be my decision on what team I [go] to, but [I want to] understand their culture and what I’ll be stepping into.”
MIKEL BROWN JR., Louisville (6-4 guard, 190 pounds)
2025-26 per-game statistics: 18.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 34.4% on 3-pointers
Scouting report: Brown’s freshman season was disrupted by a recurring back injury. But when he played, Brown was a dynamic shooter with deep range. He thrives in pick-and-roll actions. The biggest red flags are his carelessness with the ball (3.1 turnovers per game) and if he will be physically overwhelmed in the NBA.
Why he would make sense for Bucks: Just cue up the highlights of his 45-point outburst against North Carolina State. He has the confidence to pull up for a shot from anywhere in the half court. He is especially adept at shooting off the dribble, a coveted skill in the NBA.
Why he wouldn’t be right pick for Bucks: It will take some time to add strength, though it seems like he has the frame. He might be more suited for a “microwave” scoring role off the bench.
What Brown said at NBA combine: “[Head coach Taylor Jenkins and the Bucks] understand what I’m capable of on both ends of the floor, and I think they understand that they’re going to want to hold me to that standard, and I appreciate that. I love being held accountable. I love being held to a standard that I know I can hit.”
LABARON PHILON JR., Alabama (6-3 guard, 176 pounds)
2025-26 per-game statistics: 22 points, 5 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 39.9% on 3-pointers
Scouting report: After testing the NBA draft waters last year, Philon returned to the Crimson Tide and directed head coach Nate Oats’ high-octane offensive attack. He is very fast dribbling the ball and tends to score in bunches. Like Brown, there are concerns about how Philon holds up defensively against stronger players.
Why he would make sense for Bucks: The draft is loaded with guards, and Philon is being overlooked a bit in favor of Darryn Peterson, Darius Acuff, Keaton Wagler and Kingston Flemings. So Philon might be better than the typical guard a team could get at No. 10.
Why he wouldn’t be right pick for Bucks: Milwaukee already has a guy like Philon in Ryan Rollins. It’s true that you can never have enough good guards, but the Bucks have a lot of needs to fill so it could be wise to go in another direction.
What Philon said at NBA combine: “They’re going to get a great point guard. Somebody who likes being in the basketball community. A lot of people like my play-style. And I’m a fun-loving guy. So loving the community of whatever organization I get drafted to.”
YAXEL LENDEBORG, Michigan (6-9 forward, 241 pounds)
2025-26 per-game statistics: 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 37.2% on 3-pointers
Scouting report: He will be 24 years old when the NBA season starts, one of the oldest prospects in this class. Lendeborg was an impact defender for the national champion Wolverines last season. He looked comfortable guarding in the post and on the perimeter while boasting a 7-foot-4 wingspan.
Why he would make sense for Bucks: Lendeborg can play right away and will be a glue guy who does all the little things defensively. He proved in Michigan’s title run that he could thrive in the spotlight after two seasons at Alabama-Birmingham and time in junior college.
Why he wouldn’t be right pick for Bucks: This isn’t a swing for a big star. Lendeborg’s most probable outcome as a NBA player is as a really good role player.
What Lendeborg said at NBA combine: “This year in Michigan was pretty much trial and error with everything I did. Press conferences, post-game interviews, stuff like that. I’ve learned what I can say, what I can’t say. Actions that I can’t do and faces I can’t make. I’ve learned so much this past year. I’ve learned the game a lot more this year as well. [Michigan head coach] Dusty [May] taught me a lot. A lot that I needed, too. Valuable tools, just being professional.”
BRAYDEN BURRIES, Arizona (6-4 guard, 215 pounds)
2025-26 per-game statistics: 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 39.1% on 3-pointers
Scouting report: Burries is a true two-way guard. He can shoot and be a play-maker on offense. He’s strong enough to switch across multiple positions on defense. That was his role with the Wildcats and that is what it will be in the NBA.
Why he would make sense for Bucks: Burries is a Taylor Jenkins-type of player; the new Milwaukee coach would love the guard’s hard-nosed play and his professionalism.
Why he wouldn’t be right pick for Bucks: Like Lendeborg, Burries probably will end up being a high-level role player. With a rare lottery pick, is that what Milwaukee is looking for?
What Burries said at NBA combine: “My competitiveness, my will to win [separates me from other guards in draft]. My ability to guard one through four. My ability to make an impact on winning outside of scoring.”
KARIM LOPEZ, Australia (6-8 forward, 222 pounds)
2025-26 per-game statistics (30 games in NBL): 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 32.2% on 3-pointers
Scouting report: The 19-year-old Lopez played in Australia’s NBL, a solid league with physical players. He relies more on craftiness than athleticism to get his shots.
Why he would make sense for Bucks: He will be a developmental player, but Lopez’s strong rebounding and craft should help him carve out a role.
Why he wouldn’t be right pick for Bucks: There’s always concern about how players from a foreign league will translate to the NBA, and it seems like Lopez will take a while to adjust.
What Lopez said at NBA combine: “I would describe my game as versatile. I would describe my game as I like to get in transition. I’m an athletic player. I’m an all-around player.”
ADAY MARA, Michigan (7-3 center, 260 pounds)
2025-26 per-game averages: 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 blocks
Scouting report: Along with Lendeborg and Morez Johnson, Mara helped form one of the most formidable frontcourts in recent college basketball memory. His timing and movement deterred many shots at the rim. He is also a surprisingly good passer.
Why he would make sense for Bucks: Mara could be a new Brook Lopez as a defender, but there are serious questions whether Mara ever would develop his touch (he only shot 58.5% on free throws in college).
Why he wouldn’t be right fit for Bucks: Like with Lopez, if you have Mara you pretty much have to play drop coverage on defense as he’s not likely to switch onto smaller players. With players of Mara’s size, it’s also fair to wonder how they will hold up, stamina-wise, over the grind of a NBA season.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Mikel Brown Jr., Yaxel Lendeborg among players Bucks could draft
Reporting by Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
