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Milwaukee Bucks: Draft Prospects To Watch In Sweet Sixteen And Beyond

By Josh Cornelissen

Feb 25, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) celebrates with teammates forward Wenyen Gabriel (32) and forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) during the game against the Florida Gators in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Florida 76-66. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) celebrates with teammates forward Wenyen Gabriel (32) and forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) during the game against the Florida Gators in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Florida 76-66. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 12, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) shoots a free throw in the second half of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 78-60. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) shoots a free throw in the second half of the game against the Oregon State Beavers at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA won 78-60. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

A Newer Model: T.J. Leaf

In the absence of Jabari Parker, the Milwaukee Bucks have put together a number of combinations in the frontcourt. Michael Beasley, Terrance Jones, Spencer Hawes, Antetokounmpo and even Khris Middleton have played minutes at power forward for this team.

But the expected backup at power forward for Milwaukee has been Mirza Teletovic, a sharpshooting big who juices the team’s offense but gives much of it back on defense. In limited minutes he is a valuable rotation piece, but hasn’t shown worthy of taking on more of a minutes load.

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For teams looking for a sharpshooting 4 that miss out on Lauri Markkanen, T.J. Leaf appears to be their guy. The UCLA forward scored 16.2 points per game for the Bruins on 61 percent shooting from the field and 45 percent shooting from three-point range. Leaf, not Lonzo Ball, led this team in scoring.

Leaf also hustles on the glass, unlike many of his stretch-4 compatriots, averaging 8.2 rebounds per game for UCLA. The freshman chipped in a block a game, providing value on the defensive end even when his specialty is offense.

At just 19 years old, Leaf is young and would provide Milwaukee with a prospect to develop as a long-term stretch-big for this squad. Their excellent developmental staff could turn Leaf into the next Ryan Anderson, and the Houston Rockets have shown how valuable a piece a sharpshooting big can be in the right hands.

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