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Milwaukee Bucks: 2017 NBA Draft grades

By Josh Cornelissen

Mar 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) celebrates in the closing seconds of the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship game at Verizon Center. The Wolverines won 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward D.J. Wilson (5) celebrates in the closing seconds of the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Conference Tournament championship game at Verizon Center. The Wolverines won 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; USC Trojans guard De’Anthony Melton (22) guards Southern Methodist Mustangs guard Sterling Brown (3) on a shot during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; USC Trojans guard De’Anthony Melton (22) guards Southern Methodist Mustangs guard Sterling Brown (3) on a shot during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 46 — Sterling Brown

Last season the Milwaukee Bucks had one of the steals of the draft, finding point guard Malcolm Brogdon in the second round and seeing him earn a starting role by the time they hit the postseason. A long, rugged defender, Brogdon was a perfect fit on both ends of the court for the Bucks.

Milwaukee may have struck gold again with this year’s second round pick, SMU’s Sterling Brown.

Originally holding the 48th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Bucks sold that to the Los Angeles Clippers and in turn acquired pick no. 46, which they used to select Brown. As draft experts whispered to each other about sleepers, many pegged Sterling Brown as a player to watch:

Brown brings two clear strengths to the table – length and shooting. The former is a Milwaukee necessity, and understandably so; the modern NBA demands switching, positional versatility and the ability to contest on a hard closeout. The Bucks are perfecting the league’s most aggressive defensive scheme and it’s unlocked by the length of those players executing it.

The senior out of SMU checks that box, measuring at 6’6″ with a 6’10” standing reach. A solid frame, good strength and a tenacious nose for the ball will help Brown catch on as a bench forward at either position, able to defend at least 2-4.

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    • Offensively Brown is limited as a creator, with poor playmaking skills and a limited arsenal around the rim. But beyond the arc he is a sharpshooter, knocking down 45 percent of his triples. Even more so than the accuracy was the frequency, as he launched nearly five attempts per game.

    At SMU Brown didn’t have to be “the guy” on offense and he thrived in his role. On a team with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Khris Middleton, Brown doesn’t have to step out of his role either, and he can flourish off the ball spacing the floor. While almost every college player faces an adjustment with the NBA three-point line, he should adapt quickly and be able to start hitting shots his rookie season.

    This late in the draft the options are limited, and yet the Bucks managed to snag a player with a defined future in the league that also fit perfectly their team ethos and needs. Yet again the Bucks may end up with the sleeper of the draft. This was a tremendous pick.

    Grade: A

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