2024 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Hawks play it safe, Wizards go big, Spurs fill two needs
By Cal Durrett
22) Milwaukee Bucks: Kel'el Ware
The last couple of seasons have been rough for the Milwaukee Bucks, who had the best record in the league in 2023, before losing in the first round to the Miami Heat. They then had a terrific record this past season before abruptly firing their head coach, only to play poorly for the rest of the year and get bounced in the first round yet again.
Those playoff failures may lead to offseason changes and while they have limited assets, they do have the 22nd overall pick in this year's draft, which they should use to draft Kel'el Ware. Ware had a strong season for Indiana, putting up 15.9 points while shooting 58.6% from the field., 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.
It is possible that the Bucks consider moving the 22nd pick but should they decide to keep it, then they may take a chance on Ware, who has the opportunity to become a starting center in the NBA.
The 20-year-old center is one of the best players at his position in the draft and at 7'1 with a huge 7'4 and 1/2 wing span, that size could serve him well in the NBA. He is a huge target as a roll man in the pick-and-roll and could fill up on easy buckets at the rim playing alongside Damian Lillard.
He is also a terrific rebounder who can clean up misses for easy putbacks, not to mention he has shown promise as a post player who can face up, drive into the lane and hit tough turnaround shots. Defensively, he is a gifted shot blocker and should do well playing in drop coverage with the Bucks. With starting center Brook Lopez in his mid-30s, the Bucks should consider taking Ware 22nd overall.