The Milwaukee Bucks were able to land a third player in the 2026 NBA Draft when they effectively bought the No. 60 pick, the last of the draft, in a three-team trade that included Washington and Orlando.
For the Bucks to get the last pick, which they used to select Malique Lewis, the organization sent cash to Orlando.
The Bucks once again tapped into their recent pipeline to Australia to find Lewis, who played for the South East Melbourne Phoenix of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). The Bucks picked guard AJ Johnson in 2024 after he played in the NBL.
The 6-foot, 8-inch Lewis shot 38.7% from behind the 3-point line last season, a drastic improvement from his 29.4% from the year before. Lewis averaged 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game for South East Melbourne.
ESPN draft analyst Fran Fraschilla said on the broadcast said Lewis is a “three-and-D” guy, referencing his ability to shoot the 3-pointer and defend.
The NBL listed Lewis has having suffered from pneumothorax, or a collapsed lung, in November. Then in May, Lewis was held out of the G League combine due to the discovery of a pre-existing heart condition. ESPN reported the NBA’s fitness-to-play panel cleared Lewis to play.
Lewis also spent time playing for Fuenlabrada of the Liga ACB league in Spain (2021-23), as well for the Mexico City Capitanes of the G League (2023-24).
Lewis, who will be 22 years old in November, is from Trinidad and Tobago.
The Magic also received the No. 51 pic (Izaiyah Nelson) from Washington. The Wizards ended up with the No. 46 pick (Felix Okpara).
During the first round of the draft on June 23, the Bucks selected Brayden Burries at No. 10 and Nate Ament at No. 13. Ament’s draft rights were acquired in the agreed-upon deal that will send Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami in a trade that will not be consummated until the new league year begins on July 6.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks acquire second-round pick, draft Malique Lewis
Reporting by Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
