In the 2024 NBA draft , the Milwaukee Bucks bucked consensus draft boards and selected guard AJ Johnson from the National Basketball League in Australia.
The 19-year-old Californian appeared in 26 games for the Illawarra Hawks. In 7.7 minutes per game, he averaged 2.9 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and shot 37% from the floor.
In September, Johnson ranked 30th on HoopsHype's preseason two-round mock draft. Johnson's slight frame − 6-foot-5, 167 pounds − made competition in the rugged NBL difficult. He slid down current draft charts with analysts deeming him a second - round pick.
The Bucks, however, had a different evaluation. General manager Jon Horst raved about Johnson's speed and athleticism, likening it to former Bucks point guard Brandon Jennings .
Johnson may take some time to develop, both physically and on the court. He likely won't impact a Milwaukee team contending against the reigning champion Boston Celtics , or the New York Knicks , who just traded for perennial all-defensive team candidate and borderline all-star forward Mikal Bridges .
The Journal Sentinel ran a poll asking readers if they agreed with the Johnson selection.
Most clearly did not share Horst's vision concerning Johnson as 87% of respondents disapproved of the selection, while only 13% liked the pick.
Many of them cited concerns around Johnson's size, frame, and his lack of production in the NBL.
Some readers, though, bought into Johnson's upside while recognizing the unlikelihood of an immediate starter.
Below are some of the written responses to the poll.
Tim S: The Bucks are in a win-now mode and the last thing they needed was an inexperienced player that had poor stats in his only non-high school year. Very dumb move. He would have been there in the second round to take and they could have selected a more proven NBA-ready player like (Isaiah) Collier or (Terrence) Shannon or used both picks to trade up for (Yves) Missi at #21.
Michael M: Why take a player who is clearly not ready to contribute next season when you supposedly have a team capable of winning the title? The Bucks certainly could have picked Johnson with their pick in the second round. There is a reason this pick has universally gotten the worst overall grade from various draft experts.
Michael I: This pick doesn't help during (the) Bucks "very limited" championship window. After surveying the Eastern Conference, how does this pick help you contend with Boston, New York, Philadelphia , even Indiana ? I would've preferred drafting someone who's much more NBA ready than him. Finally, (the) Bucks are a team not known for their player development culture so why draft this kid?
Revan: This pick seems like a repeat of picks taken over the last two drafts. It made me question if the Bucks had given up on MarJon Beauchamp who seems to be a similar type prospect and had similar project/potential credentials and vitals. I think the Bucks have a much more pressing need to develop a younger point guard such as Tyler Kolek who has tremendous upside because of his pin-point passing ability and court awareness, inside-the-paint offensive game, and his disruptive defense. Why are the Bucks focusing on marginal long-term project draft picks?
Dave: He's 3 years away from being any help to a team that is contending now. (Kyle) Filipowski was there and made more sense. Horst needs to stop trying to outsmart everyone.
Jeff S: The Bucks are a team that needs to win now, in a 2-5 year window for their stars. And they have a coach who is reluctant to give younger players enough minutes to quickly develop. It was unlikely that there would be impact talent in year one at this stage in the draft, but my immediate reaction is they could have gotten some kind of near-term contributor and they didn't.
John: It is going to take patience and time, but the potential is there.
Bob M: When the big men went early, there wasn't much left on the board that would help this team. Maybe the kid develops in the next couple of years? Without a significant trade, unfortunately, this team will not be better because of the draft in 2024 or 2025. Horst better not be done!
Charlie: Great potential, and in that area of the draft, go for a home run.
Tony M: It's hard not to get upset due to the Giannis pick at (15) and the fact where the Bucks were picking now. This is a futures pick, if they pull it off a second time, bravo, if not ... then it is what it is.
Andy G: Youth is what we need.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Readers skeptical of Milwaukee Bucks first-round draft pick AJ Johnson
