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Forbes
a day ago
- Sport
- Forbes
5 Prospects Milwaukee Bucks Should Target In 2025 NBA Draft
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: AJ Johnson (R) shakes hands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver (L) ... More after being drafted 23rd overall by the Milwaukee Bucks during the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) After laying out three positions the Milwaukee Bucks should prioritize in the 2025 NBA Draft, allow me to flip the script: at pick No. 47, position hardly matters. The Bucks won't be on the clock until Thursday, June 26, as the NBA's new two-night draft format means the second round takes center stage on night two. And with the roster in flux, Milwaukee simply needs to take the best player available when their number is called. The Bucks currently have 10 players under contract, but that number is likely to shrink. Kevin Porter Jr. and Bobby Portis are both expected to decline their player options. Chris Livingston's non-guaranteed deal makes him an easy cut. Damian Lillard will miss most—if not all—of the season recovering from his Achilles injury. That could leave just six healthy bodies on the cap sheet come opening night. In short: the Bucks need help anywhere they can get it. With that in mind, here are five prospects Milwaukee should target at No. 47. Chucky Hepburn, PG, Louisville Wisconsin fans know Chucky Hepburn well. After three years with the Badgers, he transferred to Louisville for his senior season. At 6-foot-1, Hepburn isn't the biggest, fastest, or flashiest. But he's the type of guy who glues a team together. He makes winning plays—diving for loose balls, making the right reads, and setting the tone with leadership and effort. On defense, he's a menace. Hepburn slides his feet with precision, has active hands, and forces turnovers that fuel transition opportunities. As a third ball-handler who can take tough defensive assignments, he'd fit nicely in Milwaukee's backcourt. Micah Peavy, F, Georgetown It took five college seasons, but Peavy finally put it all together at Georgetown. After modest scoring numbers in his first four years, he broke out in 2025 with 17.2 points, 5.8 boards, 3.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. His biggest leap came from behind the arc. Peavy had never topped 31 percent from deep until last year, when he splashed 40 percent of his triples. At 6-foot-6, he combines size, defense, and hustle—three traits the Bucks could use on the wing. Javon Small, PG, Georgetown Think of Small as a Jevon Carter 2.0. The 6-foot-1 point guard may not wow anyone with scoring or facilitating, but he's a bulldog defensively—built to make opposing guards miserable. His offensive game is a work in progress, but there are hints he could grow into a passable scorer. If he can become average on that end, his defense alone could earn him minutes. Hansen Yang, C, China and Rocco Zikarsky, C, Australia If Milwaukee wants to swing for the fences on a developmental big, Yang or Zikarsky could be the pick. Yang is a 7-foot-1, 19-year-old with intriguing feel and willingness to shoot from deep—though his results haven't caught up yet. Near the rim, his defense shines, but he lacks the mobility to chase perimeter players. Zikarsky, at 7-foot-3 and just 18, is even more of a project. His raw tools are tantalizing, but his game needs a lot of polish. He'd be a classic draft-and-stash candidate, giving Milwaukee time to assess his growth overseas. If the Bucks go this route, bringing back Brook Lopez would provide the perfect bridge—letting the rookie develop while the veteran anchors the paint.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
3 Positions Milwaukee Bucks Should Target In 2025 NBA Draft
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 26: AJ Johnson celebrates after being drafted 23rd overall by the ... More Milwaukee Bucks during the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 26, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) For nearly a decade, the NBA Draft has come and gone with little fanfare in Milwaukee. That's the price of success—a franchise that's lived near the top of the NBA has routinely cashed in future picks for win-now moves. That approach won't change in 2025, but for once, the Bucks do hold a draft chip. With the 47th overall pick in the second round, Milwaukee has a chance to roll the dice on a developmental prospect who could help shape the future (or be traded for a rotational player at the deadline). The 2025 NBA Draft tips off on Wednesday, June 25 at 7 p.m. CT. Let's break down three positions the Bucks should consider with their lone pick. The Bucks enter the offseason with a gaping hole at point guard. Damian Lillard is expected to miss most—if not all—of next season as he recovers from an Achilles injury. Kevin Porter Jr. is likely to decline his player option, and Ryan Rollins hits restricted free agency. That leaves Milwaukee with exactly zero healthy floor generals. Given their circumstances, the Bucks don't necessarily need a traditional pass-first point guard. With Giannis Antetokounmpo taking on more ball-handling duties, Milwaukee could target a modern guard—someone with size, shooting potential, and defensive chops who can play alongside or off Giannis. Ideally, they'll find a guard who can help stretch the floor while keeping up with the league's speed demons on the defensive end. In today's NBA, you can never have too many wings who can shoot and defend. Milwaukee is no exception. The Bucks will bring back AJ Green and Andre Jackson Jr. Green looks poised for an expanded role—his lightning-quick release and elite three-point shooting make him a valuable weapon. He's also shown steady growth on the defensive end. Jackson Jr., meanwhile, remains a mixed bag. His elite athleticism and high motor make him fun to watch, but his offensive limitations continue to be a concern. Milwaukee hopes to lock in Gary Trent Jr. long-term after a productive one-year prove-it deal in Milwaukee. But with Taurean Prince unlikely to return and Chris Livingston a potential roster casualty, the Bucks would be wise to stockpile another versatile wing who brings size, shooting, and defensive versatility to the table. The Bucks' frontcourt could look very different by the time training camp opens. Brook Lopez and Jericho Sims are both unrestricted free agents. Bobby Portis could decline his player option and explore other opportunities. Even if Milwaukee retains one or more of those veterans, there's room to invest in the future. The Bucks could use their pick to grab a young, athletic big who can protect the rim and run the floor—an ideal frontcourt partner for Antetokounmpo in smaller lineups. Last season showed that Giannis can play next to a non-shooting big in Sims, which opens the door to prioritizing defense and athleticism over spacing. Adding a high-motor, shot-blocking big man would help keep Milwaukee's interior defense among the league's best.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
This Week in Connecticut: Hartford Pastor weighs in on police chief search
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Pastor AJ Johnson is a State Capitol chaplain and leader in Hartford's North End. He spoke with Dennis House on This Week in Connecticut about what he wants in the next police chief and about a public safety summit set for Tuesday. Watch above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
12-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
How many points did AJ Johnson score in the G League? Go-Go vs. Cruise box score
How many points did AJ Johnson score in the G League? Go-Go vs. Cruise box score Washington Wizards rookie AJ Johnson reached double figures Wednesday on assignment in the G League, helping the Capital City Go-Go defeat the Motor City Cruise. Johnson produced 12 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals in the 118-103 victory at Wayne State Fieldhouse. He finished by shooting 5-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range, and recorded no turnovers in 27 minutes as the Go-Go improved to 17-9. The 23rd pick went to work early, scoring all 12 of his points in the first 12 minutes to help the Go-Go build a 21-point advantage in the first half. He also had perhaps the play of the game after throwing down a monstrous one-handed jam in the period. Johnson debuted with the Go-Go on Feb. 22 after joining the organization following a trade from the Milwaukee Bucks last month. He is now averaging 16.4 points, 4.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals on 41.9% shooting from 3-point range in five appearances. The 20-year-old has played five games with the Wizards, totaling 13 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and one steal across 54 minutes. He logged a season-high 23 minutes on Monday in a loss to the Toronto Raptors, recording three points, six assists and three rebounds. Johnson was a key piece of the trade for the Wizards as a young player with potential on the court. The organization is excited to watch him develop and take a closer look at him over the remainder of the season.
USA Today
11-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wizards' AJ Johnson reacts to trade from Bucks: 'I was kind of shocked'
Wizards' AJ Johnson reacts to trade from Bucks: 'I was kind of shocked' AJ Johnson said over the weekend that he was a bit shocked after learning the Milwaukee Bucks sent him to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday ahead of the trade deadline. Johnson was traded to the Wizards along with Khris Middleton and a 2028 pick swap for Kyle Kuzma and a second-round pick. Washington also acquired the draft rights to Mathias Lessort from the New York Knicks and dealt Patrick Baldwin Jr. to the San Antonio Spurs in the four-team trade. The Wizards got a 13-year veteran in Middleton to provide scoring on the court and more leadership in the locker room, along with a 20-year-old up-and-comer in Johnson. "I was kind of shocked, but I didn't really have too much of a crazy reaction," Johnson said Saturday after debuting with the Wizards against the Cleveland Cavaliers. "I was just a little shocked." Johnson averaged 2.9 points, one rebound and one assist on 42.1% shooting from the field in nine appearances with the Bucks. He has spent the majority of the season in the G League, averaging 13.4 points, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 25 games with the Wisconsin Herd. The 23rd pick played last season with the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL as part of the "Next Stars" program, averaging 2.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 26 appearances. He was a four-star recruit in the 2023 class of Southern California Academy before making the jump to Australia. Johnson was a key piece of the trade for the Wizards as a two-way guard with potential on the court. They had him on their radar during the predraft process and will now have the chance to take a closer look at him this season and beyond. "It is a great feeling knowing that I'm somewhere that wants me," Johnson said. "It is definitely a great feeling being somewhere I'm wanted and looked at as valuable, so I just want to work super hard and become everything I want to become in this game." Johnson joins a roster with three other first-round picks from last year: Alexandre Sarr (No. 2 pick), Bub Carrington (No. 14 pick) and Kyshawn George (No. 24 pick). The team also boasts a core of Jordan Poole, Bilal Coulibaly, Malcolm Brogdon, Corey Kispert and Saddiq Bey, among others. The Wizards are the first team since the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021-22 season to have three separate rookies average at least 25 minutes per game. Sarr, Carrington and George have emerged as key players for the team this year and have contributed at a high level. The organization had a productive trade deadline by adding a young player and additional draft capital. Johnson is excited to get work and grow with his fellow rookies and the rest of the team. "I think it is a great opportunity because we're all still trying to find ourselves in this game," Johnson said. "So we can help each other and continue to grow together and push each other. I'm really excited."
