Milwaukee Bucks: Wade Baldwin Is A Perfect Draft Fit
With the 10th overall pick in the draft, Wade Baldwin IV fits the Milwaukee Bucks in terms of need, fit and Jason Kidd’s defensive ethos.
The Milwaukee Bucks were supposed to be a playoff team this year.
Even without a then-rookie Jabari Parker, Milwaukee won 41 games last season and took a tough Chicago team to seven games in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
Building off last season’s success and sixth-place finish in the Eastern Conference, the expectations were that the Bucks would ride its young, defensive-minded nucleus to a similar record, if not a step forward.
But the departures of Brandon Knight, Zaza Pachulia, and Jared Dudley proved to be too much for Milwaukee. The arrival of Greg Monroe hurt the team on the defensive end, head coach Jason Kidd went through his own struggles on the sidelines.
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In total, the Bucks won just 33 games and missed the playoffs. The reward for 82 games of lackluster play: One lottery pick. 10th overall.
It’s a perfect position for Milwaukee, who should select Vanderbilt point guard Wade Baldwin.
The Bucks could use a better fit at the point guard and center position. Monroe is a talented offensive player, both as a scorer and a passer. However, his defensive woes are rough.
He can’t defend the rim, nor can he take a step out and defend on the perimeter, significantly slashing his value to the Bucks. Michael Carter-Williams, acquired in a three-team trade from Philadelphia during last season’s trade deadline, can’t shoot and is a questionable playmaker.
In this case, the first deficiency matters more than the second for Carter-Williams’ fit in Milwaukee.
Alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Middleton, the Bucks don’t really need playmaking as much as they need someone who can knock down a handful of long-range shots, more than creating for others.
In lineups with Monroe, Middleton, and Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have three plus-level passers and Carter-Williams’ 27 percent shooting from three isn’t going to get it done.
Enter Baldwin.
This season, Baldwin took a step forward as a sophomore, averaging 14.1 points,4.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists for Vanderbilt. He also sported an excellent shot from downtown – knocking down 40 percent from three on 101 attempts.
Combine that with the 43 percent shooting on 98 attempts the year prior and it’s not crazy to envision Baldwin at a solid three-point shooter at the next level.
That alone makes Baldwin a better fit, but there are other factors that only support the fit of Baldwin to Milwaukee. Alongside his shooting, Baldwin has solid playmaking numbers.
Based on the eye test, he doesn’t come off as an ideal lead guard, but again, he won’t have to with Middleton and Antetokounmpo on the court with him. Baldwin finished with 172 assists to just 91 turnovers last season with a 33 percent assist rate.
Both are solid numbers for a point guard prospect.
Lastly, he fits Milwaukee’s defensive ethos. Remember, the Bucks acquired Carter-Williams largely because of his long wingspan and defensive value. Baldwin offers something similar –measuring in at 6-foot-4, but with an enormous 6-foot-11 wingspan.
The freakish combination of height and length means he’ll be able to contest with most guards and even some larger wing players.
If he hits his defensive potential, imagine the Bucks with Middleton, Antetokounmpo and Baldwin on defense, being able to switch from 1-4 with relative ease.
Milwaukee’s future is tied to the trio of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Khris Middleton.
Every move the Bucks consider should be tied to how it would help benefit those three. In a draft with several question marks at the guard spot, I think Wade Baldwin is underrated and could be an excellent fit for a Milwaukee team that prides itself on the defensive end.
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If he can hit his ceiling, he could become a nice defensive player who can also space the floor, filling both of Milwaukee’s needs at that other guard position for the Bucks.