The season started with the controversial selection of Troy Brown with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft. A selection that was made with the future in mind, specifically with the new rules that will be implemented next season in mind. The rookie from Oregon has had a solid season, in line with what was expected. Brown played and started all 82 games, splitting minutes between point guard and shooting guard, and averaged 10.2 points, 2.8 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 24.8 minutes per game, shooting 40.9 % from the field, 80.8 % from the free throw line and 28.7 % from three-point range. While outside shooting has been lower than expected (32 % was the prediction as a rookie) his development has been great, specially during training camp but also during the season. The coaching staff cannot wait to see him next year, after one more training camp and with the new rules being implemented.
The Bucks are satisfied with Brown's rookie season,
The rest of the young core delivered what the coaching staff expected, with the exception of Thon Maker. After signing $35M and five-year deal in the offseason, the 23-year-old forward regressed a bit on the offensive end, specially his three-point shooting, hitting just 29.1 % of his shots from beyond the arc after converting 36.5 % of them last year and 41.2 % the year before. That being said, what Maker did on the positive side was to establish himself as one of the best defenders in the CSL (ask Stanley Johnson about their last two meetings, both Bucks wins). In 29.1 minutes per game, Maker averaged 13.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.6 assists and 1.3 steals per contest, shooting 43.7 % from the field and 68.7 % from the free throw line.
The other three from the "core-five" did as expected. Former first overall pick, Brandon Ingram, saw his season end in March with a broken arm. In the 69 games he played he averaged 18.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals in 33.8 minutes per game, shooting 43.7 % from the field, 79.3 % from the free throw line and 38.2 % from outside. Not only that, but he is one of the elite defenders in the CSL, as a quick look at advanced stats reveal. Sophomore Wendell Carter was a master of the boards. Despite breaking his arm in April, Carter showed his strength in the painted area with 11.4 rebounds in just 29.9 minutes per contest. In addition, in the 78 games he played he averaged 10.7 points, 1.1 assist and 1.1 block, converting 44.3 % of his field goal attempts, a big improvement from his 40.3 % last season, and 56.6 % of his free throws, also an improvement. As for the fifth member of the Bucks young core, offseason acquisition Devin Booker, he just played in 56 games, coinciding his absence with the Bucks worst games of the season. Booker contributed with 12.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 24.2 minutes per game, shooting 40.7 % from the field, 72.5 % from the free throw line and 40.0 % from three-point range.
Has Booker finally found his place in the CSL?
Others had their ups and downs: Przemek Karnowski (also missing 22 games due to injury), Kelly Oubre, Matthew Dellavedova or Frank Mason to name a few. But what is more important, head coach Chris Duhon had the last two months to test things and come into the offseason with a very clear idea of what the team needs.
As for the Front Office, ever since the adoption of the new rules was announced, each and every move the Bucks have made was with that in mind. It is a roster build around players who can excel in that new environment, specially Ingram and Brown should see the most improvement, and also Maker probably will fit very well with that new setting. But what is even more important, the Front Office needs to be active all season and the coaching staff needs to plan each and every game in order to make the playoffs next year in a tough Eastern Conference.
And then, unexpectedly, the Bucks jumped in the draft lottery from the eighth spot to the third one. The scouting team did not make a single visit to watch Zion Williamson or Luka Doncic play, so they have no first hand information on them, as they were focusing on projected mid-lottery players. Still, it seems to be the general consensus those two players will not be available at the third pick, which the Bucks hold. Everyone seems to take for granted that Ja Morant will be Milwaukee's selection, but they should know by now that the Bucks barely match predictions with their decisions. That does not mean Morant will not be a Buck, but after three scouting trips to see the Murray State guard, as of now he is not at the top of the Bucks board. There is still some scouting to do and also workouts and interviews, and the Bucks seem to be focusing on three players, with Morant being one of them, but as one source close to the Front Office reveals, right now he is not the preferred candidate, but a very close second. May that change between now and the draft?
Anyway, Bucks fans are started to be excited again after such a long period of losing basketball games. The last two months of regular season and the outcome of the draft lottery have them eager to start a new season.
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