Jason Kidd is all about versatility in his lineups, and the Milwaukee Bucks gave their head coach another piece to add to the puzzle in the 2017 NBA Draft.
With the 17th overall pick the Bucks grabbed another long, versatile athlete, D.J. Wilson out of Michigan. Wilson fits the mold for a prototypical Bucks player as he stands at 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan.
With players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, John Henson, Thon Maker, and Greg Monroe on the roster, Milwaukee has prioritized height and length with its draft picks and signings in recent years.
Wilson played the four for John Beilein in Ann Arbor but can play and guard multiple positions, giving him great value in today’s NBA. In addition, Wilson shot 37 percent from 3-point range at Michigan and figures to improve his range with time. At just 21 years old, Wilson will take time to prove himself, but Coach Kidd is excited about his potential.
“Watching him on film, he fits the DNA of the Bucks being able to play multiple positions. We thought if he was there, that was one of the guys that we had to have,” Jason said. “You talk about the coach at Michigan, he’s well coached and when you watch him on film you can see that he has the ability to play both ways… He brings a lot to the table, shot blocking and being a switch candidate, so that’s why we were high on him.”
When asked how Wilson might benefit current Bucks players, Jason praised the offensive game of his team’s first round draft pick.
“I think he can shoot the ball, he can stretch the defense, and he’s very comfortable with the ball, he can put the ball on the floor,” Coach Kidd explained. “As you look at and learn about him, he grew. He started off playing the guard or wing position at 6-foot-6 and he grew to 6-foot-10. So he’s very comfortable. When you look at someone like that who can rebound the ball and start the break or start your offense, it fits what we have here.”
