NBA Mock Draft: Bucks trade for #19, draft Kevon Looney of UCLA

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SB Nation's NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making or trading "their" team's pick. We continue with the next pick in the 2015 NBA Mock Draft, with BrewHoop selecting Kevon Looney following a trade with Bullets Forever.

By Keith Schlosser Jun 23, 2015, 11:30am EDT

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NBA Mock Draft Pick #19 -- Kevon Looney, Forward, UCLA

SB Nation's Bucks blog, BrewHoop, explains their side of the trade:

A second round pick of the Bucks waaaaay back in 2005, Ilyasova has enjoyed a remarkably long and often productive tenure in Milwaukee -- though you might not know it from Bucks fans' perpetual interest in trading him. Though he's battled bouts of inconsistency and injury since signing for five years and $40 million ($32 million guaranteed) in 2012, the 28-year-old's unique combination of perimeter shooting and interior scrappiness has made him a useful rotation player with a penchant for second half hot streaks. Still, his days in Wisconsin have been numbered ever since Jabari Parker landed in Milwaukee last summer, and after filling in admirably for the injured rookie last season it's a good time for the Bucks to cash him in for a fresh set of assets.

As for the new guy? Well, the 32-year-old Nene (and his $13 million expiring contract) may not be a long-term fit for the young Bucks, but he'd provide some post scoring punch to a team sorely lacking it, and a disappointing playoff performance shouldn't obscure that the Wiz were notably better on both ends of the court with Nene a year ago. More importantly, he brings with him the 19th overall pick, giving the Bucks another young asset to add to their stable of developing talent. Bucks fans have been dreaming of moving Ilyasova for a first round pick for years, and with this deal they finally do it. The primary downside is eating up around $5 million in potential cap space by taking on Nene's contract, though Milwaukee would still have around $10 million to work with this summer.

SB Nation's Wizards blog, Bullets Forever, explains their side of the trade:

Going into this year's draft, the Wizards face two difficult challenges:

1. Find a full-time power forward who can stretch the floor the way Paul Pierce and Drew Gooden did so well for the Wizards in the playoffs without cutting into cap space the Wizards need for next summer.

2. Make the best possible case for potential free agents with on court success this season.

Ersan Ilyasova helps the Wizards reach both objectives. He would be an immediate upgrade at power forward who would give John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter more space to operate on that end of the floor.

Additionally, the Wizards shave $5.1 million in this deal, which gives them more flexibility to use their mid-level exception and two trade exceptions to improve their depth without going over the luxury tax. Plus, only $500,000 of his 2016-17 contact is guaranteed, so the Wizards can release him if they need the cap room to sign a max player, or keep him around and retool if things don't work out in free agency.

The Wizards are paying a high, but necessary, premium by giving up their first round pick. It's hard to give up young, cost-controlled talent, but this move helps the Wizards improve immediately and puts them in better position to deal with whatever happens next summer.

BrewHoop explains the pick:

Kevon Looney wasn't my first choice for the Bucks coming into the draft; alas, my hopes of trading up for Myles Turner (#9) or Frank Kaminsky (#13) didn't materialize (FOR NOW!), while Bobby Portis (#15) also proved *slightly* out of reach. But while the latter three would have given the Bucks a major boost in terms of skill and versatility at the 4/5 positions, the 19-year-old Looney still has the look of a very good value play at #19.

Combining a rebound-devouring motor with freaky length (7'3" wingspan) and an intriguing two-way skillset, the Milwaukee native has plenty of room to grow and wouldn't face the pressure of contributing immediately for a Bucks team that already has a fairly full roster. On paper he might seem somewhat redundant with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Damien Inglis already on the roster, but Looney's length and defensive versatility fit well with the Bucks' pressuring and switching system. And the fact that he's a local kid only one year removed from being the top high school prospect in the state of Wisconsin? Consider it sentimental gravy.

1) Minnesota Timberwolves: KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS

2) Los Angeles Lakers: JAHLIL OKAFOR

3) Phoenix Suns (via Philadelphia 76ers): D'ANGELO RUSSELL

4) New York Knicks: JUSTISE WINSLOW

5) Orlando Magic: WILLIE CAULEY-STEIN

6) Philadelphia 76ers (via Sacramento Kings): MARIO HEZONJA

7) Denver Nuggets: EMMANUEL MUDIAY

8) Boston Celtics (via Detroit Pistons): KRISTAPS PRIZINGIS

9) Utah Jazz (via Charlotte Hornets): MYLES TURNER

10) Philadelphia 76ers (via Miami Heat): STANLEY JOHNSON

11) Indiana Pacers: CAMERON PAYNE

12) Utah Jazz: DEVIN BOOKER