Milwaukee Bucks And The Eastern Conference Playoff Draft

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Mar 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) and guard Matthew Dellavedova (8) and guard Khris Middleton (22) and forward Mirza Teletovic (35) in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Milwaukee Bucks won 112-98. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 3

1. Cleveland Cavaliers: Khris Middleton, G/F – The second Buck off the board goes to the Cleveland Cavaliers, providing a backcourt stopper to shut down the elite point guards in the Conference.

The one piece James hasn’t been able to find in Cleveland has been a long two-way shooting guard and he gets one in Middleton here. When the Cavaliers go small he can easily play the 3 as well, making his versatility yet another piece to the Cavaliers’ puzzle.

2. Boston Celtics: Serge Ibaka, F/C – Another pick, another versatile two-way player for the Celtics. Pairing Ibaka and Millsap ensures that Boston can both set up a 5-out system on offense, and switch easily on defense without sacrificing rim protection.

3. Toronto Raptors: Goran Dragic, PG – The Raptors get a point guard here in Dragic, who has parked a surprisingly competent Miami offense this year.

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By pushing the ball every possession he puts opposing defenses in tough binds, especially setting up cross-matches for this team’s scorers to exploit.

4. Washington Wizards: Jae Crowder, F – While Crowder’s incredibly valuable contract doesn’t come into play here, his defensive prowess and spot-up shooting do. The quintessential 3-and-D player is a perfect fit around the pick-and-rolls Wall will run.

If the Wizards shift down, Crowder can play small-ball 4 beside Horford.

5. Milwaukee Bucks: Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, G – The Bucks are just one of the teams that can testify to to Caldwell-Pope’s rise this season.

Already one of the best guard defenders in the league, Caldwell-Pope has perfected his shooting ability and is often Detroit’s best option down the stretch in games. With Antetokounmpo present to handle the ball, Caldwell-Pope can play off-the-ball and defend point guards.

6. Atlanta Hawks: Dwight Howard, C – With a backcourt focused on offense, the Hawks can use a stout defender in the middle. Howard has put together another solid season and has a long history of stepping up in the postseason at both ends of the court.

7. Chicago Bulls: Otto Porter, F – Porter is enjoying a breakout year this season, leading the league in three-point percentage and guarding the opposing team’s best wing player. That will fit well with a Chicago team loading up from point guard down.

8. Miami Heat: Avery Bradley, G – Spot up shooting is always a strong skill around a ball-dominant forward such as Carmelo Anthony, and Bradley is the low-usage shooter that fits perfectly in such a role.

Add in his defensive skill set and the combination of Bradley and Lowry can slow down nearly any backcourt.

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