The Milwaukee Bucks have a history of risk in the NBA draft, seen by their recent selections of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thon Maker.
However, this year the team made a different gamble - hiring a new general manager less than a week before the draft.
While Jon Horst is a disciple of former Bucks' GM John Hammond (having worked together going back to their days in Detroit), we really have no idea what he is going to do on draft night.
That being said, these mock draft experts certainly gave it their best shot. Here is a run through of potential Bucks' selections at pick 17 from around the web.
Sports Illustrated (Jeremy Woo)
Harry Giles
Duke, F/C, Freshman
"Milwaukee has worked out mostly big men in this draft range. Giles has considerable potential if he can stay healthy, and it can’t hurt that the Bucks’ staff has a strong recent history with injury recovery and rehabilitation (see Khris Middleton’s torn hamstring and Jabari Parker’s first ACL tear). The Bucks have been all about upside in recent drafts and can swing big again picking in this range. He could bring immense value in the late teens."
Sports Illustrated (Andrew Sharp)
Giles
"Giles is another player coming off an injury who could turn into a steal with the right health and the right team. Milwaukee needs a point guard, but the answer won't be available at 17, and they probably won't find much value on the wing, either.
That leaves any number of big men to choose from, and Milwaukee has a history of gambling on draft night. Yes, GM John Hammond isn't there anymore, and GM Jon Horst has been on the job for less than a week, but let's say they keep tradition alive and swing big."
CBS Sports (Gary Parrish)
Jarrett Allen
Texas, C, Freshman
"Allen was on a bad team in his one year at Texas -- mostly because the Longhorns were young everywhere and without a point guard. But the 6-11 athlete was consistently good from February on and showed flashes of why he's worthy of being selected in the top 20. I'm not sure he can help Milwaukee next season. But he could eventually."
Sporting News (Sean Deveney)
Terrance Ferguson
Australia, SG, 19 years old
"Ferguson has a pretty wide range, having skipped out on college to play in Australia, where teams tracking him had mixed reviews. He is not particularly explosive, but he is an excellent shooter who works well off screens and has a dash of athleticism. With Greg Monroe opting in for next season, the Bucks will forgo bigs. They need shooting and some depth on the wings."
Fox Sports (Andrew Lynch)
Giles
"With a new general manager and questions about whether they made too hasty a decision now that David Griffin is on the market, the Bucks could look to make a big splash on draft day. Adding Giles, who once projected as a No. 1 overall pick before a knee injury at Duke, would fit the bill.
Giles received a relatively clean bill of health this week, and he's an outstanding prospect on both ends of the court if he's truly injury-free."
Draft Express
Justin Patton
Creighton, C, RS Freshman
"Measured at 7'0, 230 pounds, with a 7'2 ½ wingspan, Patton is an exceptional athlete for the center position. He has a quick first step to move from defense to offense and he is a great rim-runner in transition where his 1.47 points per possession ranked as one of the highest marks in the country last season according to Synergy Sports Technology."
Bleacher Report (Chris Roling)
Tony Bradley
North Carolina, C, Freshman
Bleacher Report (Paul Kasabian)
Justin Jackson
North Carolina, SF, Junior
NBADraft.net
Bam Adebayo
Kentucky, F/C, Freshman
"His ability to defend and protect the rim is what will get him on the floor and developing a well-rounded offensive game will keep him out there."
