With the worst record in the NBA, the Bucks are really only competing to win the best chance in the lottery to get the first pick in the NBA draft. The opponents? The Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and the New Orleans Pelicans. There are more teams that could end up with the worst record, but those are the most likely. Lets all assume that the Bucks get a top 3 pick when the season is over with. Who should they pick in this “loaded draft”? Jabari Parker? Andrew Wiggins? Joel Embiid? Julius Randall? Here’s what I think…

Jabari Parker (Duke):

Good fit?: Parker is primarily a SF that also can play at the PF spot. The Bucks have Giannis, Delfino, and Caron Butler at that position, but Giannis is a very flexible young prospect that could be moved anywhere, Carlos is a bench player, and Butler will be gone soon. Parker would provide a lot of scoring and the Bucks would have Parker, Giannis, Knight, Henson, and Sanders as their core. The Bucks should take him if they can.

Synopsis: Probably the best offensive player in this draft and most NBA ready. Has issues on defense but is very young and can learn.

Joel Embiid (Kansas):

Good Fit? Embiid is a true center at 7’0. The Bucks just signed Larry Sanders to a huge deal, but he has had some on and off the court issues. Embiid has already drawn comparisons to Hakeem Olajuwon, so it could be hard for the Bucks to pass him up. The Bucks already have a surplus of big men with lots of potential and taking Embiid would not help the team immediately. The Bucks are not currently looking forward to a project, as they have expressed that this will be the only rebuilding year. Even if they get the number one pick, they should pass on Embiid.

Synopsis: A seven footer with loads of potential, very young and has a lot to learn.

Andrew Wiggins (Kansas):

Good Fit? Like Parker, Wiggins is a SF and would come in to a group that includes Giannis, Butler, and Delfino. Wiggins is a super athletic player with loads of potential. Nobody really knows how good this guy can really be. Coming out of High School he already was projected to be the top pick, so he has a lot of hype around him. Draws some comparisons to Tracy McGrady, and will be considered a bust if he doesn’t play like a superstar. The Bucks can’t go wrong picking Wiggins.

Synopsis: Super athletic with a ton of potential. Tons of hype coming in. Everyone will have to wait and see how he handles it.

If the Bucks should somehow move out of the top 3, guys like Dante Exum, Marcus Smart, Julius Randle, and Aaron Gordon could be solid picks. There has been some speculation that the Bucks really like Marcus Smart, but they would be out of their minds to take him over the three guys listed above. It really wouldn’t make much sense to draft a point guard that high in the draft because the Bucks already have a promising young point guard in Brandon Knight. If they fall to number 4 or 5 in the draft and they really want a combo guard, they should consider Exum over Smart. Exum is 6’6 and could serve as a much needed shooting guard who could play with Knight still at the point. If for some reason they do take Smart, it would be likely that the Bucks would switch Knight over to shooting guard.

John Hammond should draft Jabari Parker if he gets the chance. Parker is NBA ready and can help the team right away. Parker would solidify an already young and talented roster, and could make them playoff contenders in his first year. The Bucks should also make a trade to get another pick somewhere in the first round. Ilyasova, Butler, Mayo, Pachulia, Ridnour, and Neal are all available to other teams for a pick. Trading up would give the Bucks a chance to draft a much needed shooting guard like Wayne Selden from Kansas. Selden is 6’5 and can shoot the three ball, as well as take it inside using his 230 pounds. If the Bucks added Parker and Selden, their one year rebuilding project could turn out to be a huge success.