Star Marquette PG Could Help Milwaukee Bucks Offset Free Agent Losses If He Falls to 47th This Draft 1 Mar 1, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles guard Kam Jones (1) dribbles the ball around Georgetown Hoyas guard Malik Mack (2) during the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

Star Marquette PG Could Help Milwaukee Bucks Offset Free Agent Losses If He Falls to 47th This Draft

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 7:00 AM ET

There are a number of ways the Milwaukee Bucks could address their point guard needs this offseason. They could look to free agency, targeting the likes of Malcolm Brogdon, Dennis Schroder or Tyus Jones. They could try to snag Collin Sexton or Jordan Clarkson in a trade with the Jazz. One lesser option that would not cost the Bucks anything – not players, draft capital, or absorbing undesirable salary – is hunting point guard help in the draft. With Damian Lillard hurt, Ryan Rollins a free agent, and Kevin Porter Jr. likely to join him by declining his player option, Milwaukee must explore all avenues to solidify the backcourt next season.

Marquette’s Kam Jones Would Bring Scoring Punch and Solid Passing – But Athleticism Is a Concern

A potential draftee at no. 47, the Bucks’ only pick in 2025, is Marquette’s All-American guard Kam Jones. ESPN’s latest mock draft has him going 46th to Orlando. Based on that assessment, falling only one spot would put him in range.

In 2024-25, Jones took over point guard duties for the Golden Eagles following Tyler Kolek’s departure, drafted by the Knicks in the 2024 draft. As a senior, Jones averaged 19.2 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 48.3% from the field. He offers both scoring and playmaking, a combination not available from many players the Bucks have been linked to.

One of his drawbacks, says Yahoo Sports analyst Kevin O’Connor, is his athletic shortcomings.

“He’s a good athlete, but not a great one. He doesn’t have an explosive first step, or vertical leaping ability at the rim. He rarely dunks and, even at the college level, he’s very reliant on his jumper,” O’Connor says.

And about his jumpshooting – it isn’t always reliant off the bounce:

Jones made 36.7% of his dribble-jumper 3s entering his senior season, which is quite a strong number. But as a senior, he made only 20% of his 70 attempts, per Synergy. Considering his shaky results from the line, and his good but not elite numbers in spot-ups, it at least raises questions about his true ability as a shooter.

As O’Connor observes, Jones was a surprisingly inefficient free-throw shooter, hitting at a rate of 67.1% in his career. Last season, that figure dipped almost eight percentage points from his junior year, down to 64.8%.

Star Marquette PG Could Help Milwaukee Bucks Offset Free Agent Losses If He Falls to 47th This Draft 2 Feb 1, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles guard Kam Jones (1) drives for the basket against Connecticut Huskies guard Hassan Diarra (10) during the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Whether Jones or Someone Else, Milwaukee Bucks Should Target Two-Way Players

Compared to 3-point percentage, free-throw precision is a superior prognosticator of how a college player’s shooting skills will translate to the NBA, O’Connor points out. That could be a “bad sign” or a “subtle mechanical flaw” amenable to coaching.

To replace one of Rollins or Porter, the Bucks would love to draft someone who can shoot. Both of them drained threes at a 40% clip in Milwaukee last season. At the very least, Jones would need to cash in on spot-up chances, spacing the floor for Giannis Antetokounmpo to run point-forward. According to O’Connor, Jones knocked down such attempts during his time at Marquette (38.1% over four years).

Jones does have an advantage over someone like Koby Brea, the Kentucky guard mocked to the Bucks at no. 47: capable defense. Each of his past three years in college, Jones averaged better than a steal per game.

Star Marquette PG Could Help Milwaukee Bucks Offset Free Agent Losses If He Falls to 47th This Draft 3 Dec 7, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers guard John Tonje (9) is fouled by Marquette Golden Eagles guard Kam Jones (1) during the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 202 pounds, Jones is a “good defender who moves his feet, has a strong frame, and loves to apply pressure on opposing ball-handlers. He defends like he has a hunger for getting stops in the same way he seeks out points on offense,” O’Connor says.

That kind of attitude, in to addition quickness and strength, is something the Bucks should calibrate as they draw up their big boards ahead of opening night on June 25.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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