I started getting anxious about Malcolm’s chances — not just the kind of restless that committing to sitting in front of your TV for countless hours makes you, but actually on the lookout — when San Antonio’s turn came up. The Spurs began a run of teams that included the Warriors (30) in the first round and Celtics (31 and 35) and Clippers (33) in the second that had both worked out and been documented as interested in Malcolm. As the Celts made their second pick, I started to worry, but barely had time to fire off some worried missives to Twitter before Woj alleviated my worries by dropping the news of Malc to the Bucks into my feed.
My first reaction was guarded because in some lights, the Bucks are a mess that took a marked step back this season, and because I have no allegiance to them as a fan (whoo Bulls) or as an avid League Pass viewer.
I felt better about it once I digested it for a few. Here’s why: the Bucks have two guard-types (Michael Carter-Williams and Tyler Ennis) and Khris Middleton (a three) signed right now, and while Middleton is a lock, one of the guards (M C-W) can’t shoot and comes and goes on D, and he’s the more proven one (Ennis enters year three largely a blank slate).
In addition, landing in Milwaukee gives Brogs — a lifelong and eager learner — the opportunity to milk the brain of Jason Kidd, who is only one of the best point guards of all time. Finally, the Bucks — boasting Giannis Antetokounmpo, the aforementioned M C-W, Jabari Parker, the newly-drafted Thon Maker, and Khris Middleton — boast a young, athletic, long-armed core that has voiced a commitment to defense and versatility (two things Malcolm offers more of immediately). Jared Dudley had a really nice year on a Bucks team that finished second in defensive efficiency (99.3) in 2015, thanks to his relentless leadership and his ability to guard four positions and nail the corner three. Malcolm potentially offers a lot of those same attributes. I think this is going to be fun.
