The Milwaukee Bucks only goal this offseason is to build around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo,in hopes that he elects to stay and re-sign with the franchise.
Right now, Milwaukee is in desperate need for talent, and finding the next young piece to pair alongside their franchise superstar will be critical when pitching to him why he should stay put.
This upcoming draft could provide Milwaukee an opportunity to identify that next cornerstone — or at the very least, a prospect who can grow into an impactful player next to their superstar.
With that in mind, I wanted to take a closer look at how several of the leading draft analysts currently project the first round.
To do that, I examined projections from five prominent draft-focused sites and averaged their rankings to create a consensus mock draft. The goal was to get a clearer sense of where prospects are generally expected to land before the NCAA Tournament potentially reshapes the landscape.
To add another layer to the exercise, I also ran the Tankathon lottery simulator to determine the draft order and see which teams would end up selecting each player in this consensus mock scenario.
giannis
Mar 4, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks on in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
In this exercise, the Milwaukee Bucks remained in the No. 10 spot of the NBA Draft. Milwaukee is currently pushing to reach the Play-In Tournament, hoping to give itself a chance to compete in the playoffs alongside its superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
However, one could argue the Bucks’ best long-term move would be to shut Antetokounmpo down for the remainder of the season, allow him to fully recover from injury, and focus on positioning themselves for the best possible draft pick. Atlanta does have the ability to swap with Milwaukee if they pass New Orleans in the Draft Lottery, but where New Orleans is now, is still higher than where Milwaukee is currently.
giannis
Mar 4, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after scoring a basket in the first quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Remaining at No. 10 is still a solid outcome, but moving up in the lottery could play a significant role in strengthening the roster around Antetokounmpo and helping convince him that Milwaukee can continue competing at a high level.
For now, though, the Bucks are slotted to pick tenth. Below is a closer look at the prospect projected to land with Milwaukee at that spot.
Let's see who the experts have going to the Bucks in the NBA Draft Lottery Consensus Mock Draft.
1). Indiana Pacers: Darryn Peterson | Guard | Kansas
darryn
Mar 3, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Darryn Peterson (22) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
ESPN - Darryn Peterson
Tankathon - Darryn Peterson
The Athletic - AJ Dybantsa
No Ceilings - Darryn Peterson
Bleacher Report - AJ Dybantsa
2). Brooklyn Nets: AJ Dybantsa | Forward | BYU
dybantsa
Feb 28, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) shoots a three pointer over West Virginia Mountaineers guard Chance Moore (13) during the second half at Hope Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images
ESPN - AJ Dybantsa
Tankathon - AJ Dybantsa
The Athletic - Darryn Peterson
No Ceilings - AJ Dybantsa
Bleacher Report - Darryn Peterson
3). Washington Wizards: Cameron Boozer | Forward | Duke
boozer
Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) on the court in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
ESPN - Cameron Boozer
Tankathon - Cameron Boozer
The Athletic - Cameron Boozer
No Ceilings - Cameron Boozer
Bleacher Report - Cameron Boozer
4). Utah Jazz: Caleb Wilson | Forward | North Carolina
wilson
Feb 21, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Caleb Wilson (8) looks on prior to the game against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
ESPN - Caleb Wilson
Tankathon - Caleb Wilson
The Athletic - Caleb Wilson
No Ceilings - Caleb Wilson
Bleacher Report - Caleb Wilson
5). Sacramento Kings: Kingston Flemings | Guard | Houston
flemings
Feb 7, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Houston Cougars guard Kingston Flemings (4) dribbles the ball during the second half against the BYU Cougars at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images | Aaron Baker-Imagn Images
ESPN - Kingston Flemings
Tankathon - Kingston Flemings
The Athletic - Kingston Flemings
No Ceilings - Keaton Wagler
Bleacher Report - Keaton Wagler
6). Atlanta Hawks (via NOP): Mikel Brown Jr. | Guard | Louisville
mikel
Louisville Cardinals guard Mikel Brown Jr. (0) was unfazed after he scored 45 points with 10-for-16 3-point shooting as the Cards roll past NC State 118-77 at the KFC Yum! Center in downtown Louisville February 9, 2026. | Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
ESPN - Mikel Brown Jr.
Tankathon - Keaton Wagler
The Athletic - Keaton Wagler
No Ceilings - Kingston Flemings
Bleacher Report - Kingston Flemings
7). Dallas Mavericks: Keaton Wagler | Guard | Illinois
wagler
Mar 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini guard Keaton Wagler (23) shoots the ball during the first half against the Oregon Ducks at State Farm Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
ESPN - Nate Ament
Tankathon - Darius Acuff Jr.
The Athletic - Darius Acuff Jr.
No Ceilings - Mikel Brown Jr.
Bleacher Report - Mikel Brown Jr.
8). Memphis Grizzlies: Nate Ament | Forward | Tennessee
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Feb 28, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers forward Nate Ament (10) brings the ball up court against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images | Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
ESPN - Jayden Quaintance
Tankathon - Nate Ament
The Athletic - Mikel Brown Jr.
No Ceilings - Nate Ament
Bleacher Report - Brayden Burries
9). Chicago Bulls: Darius Acuff Jr. | Guard | Arkansas
acuff
Feb 18, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives against Alabama guard Latrell Wrightsell Jr. (3) at Coleman Coliseum. Alabama defeated Arkansas 117-115 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News | Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
ESPN - Darius Acuff Jr.
Tankathon - Mikel Brown Jr.
The Athletic - Nate Ament
No Ceilings - Jayden Quaintance
Bleacher Report - Jayden Quaintance
10). Milwaukee Bucks: Jayden Quaintance | Center | Kentucky
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Dec 20, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Jayden Quaintance (21) shows emotion against the St. John Red Storm in the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
ESPN - Thomas Haugh
Tankathon - Labaron Philon Jr.
The Athletic - Brayden Burries
No Ceilings - Koa Peat
Bleacher Report - Darius Acuff Jr.
Bucks Analysis: The consensus pick for the Milwaukee Bucks in this exercise is Jayden Quaintance. While his upside is intriguing, I’m not convinced that drafting a center would be the best move for Milwaukee, especially after the team invested heavily in Myles Turner this offseason. There are also legitimate questions surrounding Quaintance’s long-term health, which makes the fit even more uncertain. Instead, the player I would target for Milwaukee is Labaron Philon Jr. Philon is a true point guard standing at 6-foot-4 and is currently shooting 39.4% from three-point range. While he isn’t known as a defensive-minded guard, Milwaukee already has strong interior protection with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Turner anchoring the defense. What Philon would bring is offensive firepower and youth to the backcourt. His shooting ability provides excellent floor spacing, which would allow him to thrive both on the ball and off it alongside Antetokounmpo. Adding a young guard with legitimate offensive upside could give Milwaukee another dynamic piece as it continues building around its superstar.
11). Portland Trail Blazers: Brayden Burries | Guard | Arizona
burries
Jan 31, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
ESPN - Yaxel Lendeborg
Tankathon - Brayden Burries
The Athletic - Koa Peat
No Ceilings - Braylon Mullins
Bleacher Report - Labaron Philon Jr.
12). Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC): Labaron Philon Jr. | Guard | Alabama
philon
Feb 11, 2026; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Labaron Philon Jr. (0) reacts after a basket during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
ESPN - Braylon Mullins
Tankathon - Hannes Steinbach
The Athletic - Jayden Quaintance
No Ceilings - Yaxel Lendeborg
Bleacher Report - Thomas Haugh
13). San Antonio Spurs (via ATL): Koa Peat | Forward | Arizona
peat
Feb 7, 2026; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) drives during the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
ESPN - Bennett Stirtz
Tankathon - Yaxel Lendeborg
The Athletic - Thomas Haugh
No Ceilings - Karim Lopez
Bleacher Report - Karim Lopez
14). Charlotte Hornets: Braylon Mullins | Guard | Connecticut
mullins
Feb 18, 2026; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) moves the ball against Creighton Bluejays guard Fedor Žugić (7) in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images
ESPN - Koa Peat
Tankathon - Patrick Ngongba II
The Athletic - Labaron Philon Jr.
No Ceilings - Chris Cenac Jr.
Bleacher Report - Nate Ament
As a reminder... the Bucks literally cannot get the No. 1 pick. Atlanta gets whichever pick comes in higher between the Pelicans and Bucks, so if Milwaukee jumps to No. 1, Atlanta gets the pick and the Bucks pick where New Orleans lands. https://t.co/fvNj33Ewmp
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) March 6, 2026
Picks 15-20
Here are the six players that got mocked by some outlets to land in the lottery range, but their averages didn't equate to landing in the top fourteen.
15). Thomas Haugh | Forward | Florida
16). Yaxel Lendeborg | Forward | Michigan
17). Karim Lopez | Forward | New Zealand
18). Bennett Stirtz | Guard | Iowa
19). Hannes Steinbach | Center | Washington
20). Chris Cenac Jr. | Center | Houston
Between now and draft night, front offices will continue gathering information through conference tournaments, the NCAA Tournament, workouts, interviews and the pre-draft process.
But while movement throughout the rest of the board feels inevitable, the very top of this class appears far more settled. It is unlikely for Milwaukee to jump into the top four, but landing a top ten pick is still a huge win for the Bucks despite the underwhelming season.
You can follow me on X@AlexGoldenNBA and listen to my daily podcast, Setting The Pace, wherever you get your podcasts.