10 Best NBA Draft Picks In Milwaukee Bucks History

10 Best NBA Draft Picks In Milwaukee Bucks History

10. Vin Baker (8th overall, 1993)

Vin Baker only played four seasons for the Bucks, but in three of them, he was an All-Star. He led the league in minutes in 1994-95 and made the All-NBA third team in 1996-97. The 6-foot-11 power forward averaged more than 20 points twice and nearly had three straight years of double-digit rebounding (9.9 in 1995-96).

9. Quinn Buckner (7th overall, 1976)

Known for his quick hands on defense, Quinn Buckner averaged 2.3 steals over his six years with the Bucks. He is the team’s all-time leader with 1,042 steals and made the All-Defensive second team four times. Buckner also had three seasons of double figure scoring averages.

8. Greg Smith (50th overall, 1968)

While Greg Smith only spent three seasons (and a part of a fourth) with Milwaukee, he was the starting power forward on their 1971 championship team. He averaged double-digit rebounds (10.2) as a rookie and double-digit points (11.7) in his third year. On December 18, 1970, Smith recorded a triple-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

7. Paul Pressey (20th overall, 1982)

A 6-foot-5 guard/foreard, Paul Pressey was a menace on the defensive end. He made three All-Defensive teams while also finishing top-eight in Defensive Player of the Year voting three times in eight years with the Bucks. He also averaged double figures in scoring each of his last six seasons with the team.

6. Michael Redd (43rd overall, 2000)

It can be at least be argued that Michael Redd is the best player from the (admittedly weak) 2000 NBA Draft. In 2003-04, he was named an All-Star and earned a spot on the All-NBA third team. Redd is third in franchise history with 1,003 made three-pointers.

5. Marques Johnson (3rd overall, 1977)

An All-Star four times with the Bucks, Marques Johnson averaged 21.0 points and 7.5 rebounds over seven seasons with the franchise. The 6-foot-7 forward made three All-NBA teams (one first, two second). He was also in the MVP voting in five of those seven years with Milwaukee (twice in the top-10).

4. Sidney Moncrief (5th overall, 1979)

One of the all-time great backcourt defenders, Sidney Moncrief won back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1982-83 and 1983-84. The 2019 Hall of Fame inductee was named to five straight All-Star teams in the early to mid 1980s. He made both an All-NBA and All-Defensive team all five of those years as well.

3. Bob Dandridge (45th overall, 1969)

As a fourth round pick, it’s safe to say that Bob Dandridge exceeded expectations before entering the league. The 6-foot-6 forward was the team’s second-leading scorer in their playoff run en route to winning the 1971 NBA Finals. Three times, Dandridge averaged more than 20 points with Milwaukee, the same amount of times he was named an All-Star with them.

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1st overall, 1969)

While it was just six seasons that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for Milwaukee, they were spectacular ones. The 7-foot-2 center won three MVPs, Finals MVP in 1971, and two scoring titles.  Abdul-Jabber made four All-NBA first teams and four All-Defensive teams.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo (15th overall, 2013)

A two-time MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo has finished top-four in voting each of the last seven seasons. The 2021 Finals MVP has averaged at least 27.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists every year since 2018-19. ‘The Greek Freak’ was Defensive Player of the Year in 2019-20.