By: Dustin Chapman

Transactions

• Pre-Draft: Traded Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons to New Jersey for Richard Jefferson.

• Selected Joe Alexander 8th overall.

• Selected Luc Richard Mbah a Moute 37th overall.

To kick off the day, Milwaukee did the impossible… something we haven’t seen them do in quite some time – make a good move on draft day. Bobby Simmons and the underachieving Yi Jianlian for a legitimate second option in Richard Jefferson – very nice. Jefferson should complement Redd nicely, and potentially push the Bucks back up in the playoff discussion if they can stay healthy.

As for the #8 pick, Joe Alexander was pegged as a lock for Milwaukee before the Jefferson trade. Once the trade went down, people wondered what direction they would go in. Even with Jerryd Bayless and Brook Lopez still on the board, the Bucks stuck with their guy Alexander. Questions regarding his fit are legitimate, although his versatility and athleticism allows him to play both forward positions. Even so, it’s uncertain why Milwaukee didn’t fill more of a need here at 8 after already bringing in a big time small forward in Richard Jefferson.

Mbah a Moute was a solid pick as well, as his length and defensive ability will keep him employed for a while. But as Chad Ford put it – “where will all of these small forwards play?” Scot Skiles is going to have to diversify his rotation.

Grade: B

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