Unfortunately, another June has arrived without the Milwaukee Bucks in the competition. Despite their desire to keep playing, there is still work to be done. The NBA Draft is on June 26th, and Jon Horst, Doc Rivers, and the team are preparing their draft board.
We’ll be providing extensive draft coverage here at Brew Hoop, starting with the first installment of our prospects series. This year, the Bucks have picks 23 and 33, though they can’t trade the 23rd pick until after it’s made due to the Stepein rule.
Our first prospect in this series is Colorado’s Tristan da Silva.
Overview
Born in Germany, da Silva earned All-Pac 12 honors as a junior at Colorado. As a senior, he averaged 16 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. Given his age, he is well-defined as a player and is projected to go late in the first round, which aligns with the Bucks’ pick. Here are his strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths
Shooting: Da Silva excels in perimeter shooting, with a 39.5 percent accuracy from deep. His catch-and-shoot ability is particularly strong, hitting nearly 40 percent. His shooting can significantly impact his role in Milwaukee, similar to Brook Lopez’s 3-point shooting.
Court Knowledge: Da Silva is praised for his finishing skills and transition offense. His court vision allows him to make sharp cuts without the ball, a valuable skill alongside a facilitator like Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Defense: Though not a standout shot-blocker, da Silva’s hustle and wingspan make him a formidable defender. His effort in closing out shooters and defensive tenacity will benefit from NBA-level conditioning and coaching.
Weaknesses
Turnovers: Da Silva has struggled with turnovers, losing the ball 202 times in his college career. This issue will be magnified against tighter NBA defenses and needs to be addressed in training camp.
Athleticism: His athleticism has been questioned, particularly in rebounding and defending quicker players. Improving his physicality and agility will be crucial.
Creativity: There are concerns about his ability to dominate possessions. His footwork and ability to navigate through defenses are still developing, which could limit his versatility.
Player Comparison
Multiple scouts compare da Silva to Kyle Kuzma. He has a strong understanding of the game, can shoot, and makes good cuts, excelling in transition play. However, his athleticism might be a hindrance, especially when defending powerful forwards. Despite this, da Silva has the potential to develop into a solid NBA player.
Stay tuned to Brew Hoop for more draft coverage as we approach late June.
