2018 NBA Mock Draft: What if Memphis wins the lottery?

With Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon both up for new contracts in 2019 and Jason Terry nearing the end of his career (how many times have we said this?), the Bucks’ needs are somehow bigger than just figuring out the frontcourt. Walker would provide a stopgap for their bench scoring issues, as well as a potential replacement for Bledsoe or Brogdon down the line.

Milwaukee’s offense is elite when Giannis Antetokounmpo on the floor, but without him there really is nothing. The Bucks have isolation scorers, some shooting, a little playmaking from their guards, but nothing that can consistently buy baskets in tight games. It’s why they talked themselves into players like Shabazz Muhammad and Brandon Jennings this year. Walker’s development will be predicated on efficiency and decision-making, but he can become a valuable bench scorer early in his career.

In that role for Miami early in the season, Walker was clearly uncomfortable, but he settled in as a go-to option to close the year. Somewhere in the middle of those two guys is a version of Walker that is valuable and effective. Think of Walker as a cross between Jamal Crawford and Corey Brewer, with enough youthful explosiveness to hopefully be an even better defensive player than either.

It may seem now like the Bucks’ biggest problems are on the interior, but if the team’s next coach bites the bullet on Antetokounmpo at the 5 more often, the Bucks’ wing depth will become more important, opening up an opportunity for Walker.