Milwaukee Bucks: 5 options for pick No. 17 in 2018 NBA Draft
5. Mitchell Robinson, C — Chalmette High School
The greatest weakness of the Milwaukee Bucks throughout the season was at the 5. With the reluctance of Jason Kidd and later Joe Prunty to play Giannis Antetokounmpo at the 5, Milwaukee filled its center rotation with the low-ceilinged John Henson, the slumping Thon Maker and the vanilla Tyler Zeller.
Moving forward the hope is for Maker to grow into a starter — and then some. His ability to space the floor opens up the offense for Antetokounmpo and company. The ideal pairing in a rotation with Maker — and insurance in case he does sputter out as a prospect — would be an athletic rim-runner. Enter Mitchell Robinson.
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Robinson has had a bizarre year, committing and de-committing to Western Kentucky multiple times. In the end he did not play a minute of college basketball, and so tape on him is limited. In high school he was dominant defensively and around the rim, throwing down dunks on lobs and pocket passes.
The pre-draft process will be crucial for him to show scouts he has not been lazy with his time off. Ideally, he will be able to demonstrate increased skills, whether that is an improved jump shot or passing touch.
On Milwaukee he could be a better version of what John Henson brought to the team, setting hard screens and rumbling to the basket. His vertical athleticism will stretch opposing defenses trying to simultaneously stop an All-NBA wing in Antetokounmpo and stay home on shooters such as Malcolm Brogdon, Tony Snell and Khris Middleton.
It’s possible he could one day become the starter, but even a part-time role could maximize his effect. The Bucks shouldn’t have needed a center, but they do, and Robinson could be an excellent selection at No. 17.