The 2024 NBA Draft is coming soon and it’s sure to infuse most teams with the talent they need to thrive. For the Milwaukee Bucks, though, there are several good reasons why the front office should trade those picks as soon as possible.

Apr 2, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers looks on during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports
The Bucks have made it clear that their focus is on winning in the present rather than investing in the future. They have made bold moves, sacrificing future assets and draft picks in order to assemble a championship-caliber team while All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is in his prime. Given this win-now mentality, relying on draft picks to select unproven young players may not be the most effective strategy. Milwaukee needs to prioritize immediate success and using their picks to acquire established talent seems like a more logical path.

Apr 3, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dunks the basketball in the third quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Furthermore, the draft picks the Bucks currently possess are not guaranteed to yield impactful players. The uncertainty surrounding these picks makes it even less appealing for a team with championship aspirations to rely on unproven rookies. The Bucks simply don’t have the luxury of time to wait for young players to develop, hoping for them to reach their potential.

Instead, the Bucks would benefit from leveraging their draft picks and possibly combining them with their existing role players in trades. This would allow them to upgrade their roster immediately and improve their chances of winning a championship in the short term. By prioritizing proven talent over untested prospects, the Bucks align their strategy with their win-now mindset.

Another Reason Why The Milwaukee Bucks Should Trade Their 2024 NBA Draft Picks

Apr 2, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers reacts on the sideline during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports
Apart from prioritizing experienced players over unproven rookies, another reason why Milwaukee should trade their picks is that they won’t have a chance to develop under head coach Doc Rivers. In an article written by Nathan Marzion for Behind The Buck Pass:

“Doc Rivers has a history of electing to play veterans over young guys. Whether or not that is the right move can be debated, but regardless, ask yourself this question: If the Bucks use these draft picks to bring in two rookies, will Doc Rivers give them an opportunity to play, develop and be impactful in year one? If you answered no to that question, then the Bucks should not use these picks.

Once again, they are trying to capitalize on every single season while they have such a great core, and the goal is to put together the best possible team they can for the 2024-25 season. Using draft picks on players who wouldn’t get a chance to help the team right now is, therefore, counterproductive,” Marzion wrote.

With Rivers getting a full season preparing the team, there’s little chance he’s going to give a significant chunk of time to any rookie playing under him. Barring any injury or suspension, the most these guys will see action on the court is during garbage time.
Feb 9, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers yells out instructions against the Charlotte Hornets in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
It remains to be seen whether the Bucks’ pair of picks will stay with them or they’re going to be traded away. In any case, it’s going to be a busy couple of weeks for Milwaukee’s front office to make the most out of their assets.

Jan 20, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles in the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

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