We’re back with another Bucks draft workout round-up! As it’s officially June, we’re now just a few weeks away from draft night. The workout process is in full swing, and the Bucks have been extra busy. They’ve brought in three more prospects since our last round-up, bringing their invitee total up to fourteen. As a reminder, the team has the 47th overall pick in this year’s draft but may also try to trade up or down.
You know how this goes by now. Here’s a breakdown of each of Milwaukee’s new workout participants:
Izan Almansa
Photo by Graham Denholm/Getty Images
Height: 6’10”
Position: Big
Pre-draft team: Perth Wildcats (NBL)
Projected draft range: Second round or undrafted
Realistic Bucks target? Yes
Almansa has been on draft radars for a long time. The Spanish big man was once considered a lottery pick in last year’s draft, but his 2023–24 season with the dysfunctional G League Ignite caused him to slip to the second round in mocks. He ultimately dropped out to work on his game for another season before going to the NBA. While he improved during his time in Australia’s National Basketball League this year, he is once again a projected second-rounder.
The 20-year-old is best known for his play finishing ability. He has a nice touch in the paint and can score as a roll man, when posting up, or from the dunker spot. He’s a good, strong screener too, and can pass out of the short roll. Overall, he should adapt well to pick-and-roll-heavy NBA offenses. It’s too bad he likely wouldn’t be able to play much with Damian Lillard next year.
Almansa is offensively inclined, so he wouldn’t be able to help Milwaukee’s defensive issues. He’s generally grounded and doesn’t have the explosiveness to be a real rim protector or lob threat. He also doesn’t have a jump shot. Realistically, he may play a similar role to Luka Garza, providing instant offense as a reserve center. Considering his reputation as a high-level prospect, though, he has the potential to be more than that.
Dain Dainja
Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Height: 6’9”
Position: Big
School: Memphis
Year: Senior
Projected draft range: Undrafted
Realistic Bucks target? Yes
First of all, Dain Dainja passes the name test with flying colors. He has one of the coolest names in the whole draft class. Almost equally as cool is his willingness to do the dirty work as a big man. Like Almansa, Dainja is a very effective finisher in a variety of ways. He led the AAC in field goal percentage (61.5%) as a senior, and his 14.6 PPG came almost exclusively on two-point field goals— he only attempted one three. The 2024–25 All-AAC awardee is also an awesome rebounder, especially offensively, and he can block shots as well.
The issue with Dainja is that while he has a very strong build, he’s only 6’9”, which is undersized for a center. We’re seeing NBA teams become more willing to run traditional two-big lineups, but those usually work best when one of them can space the floor (think Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein). Dainja is not a shooter, making him best suited for reserve minutes as a small-ball five, a role that is quickly losing its appeal.
Wade Taylor IV
Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Height: 5’11”
Position: Guard
School: Texas A&M
Year: Senior
Projected draft range: Undrafted
Realistic Bucks target? Yes
Speaking of unpopular archetypes— Wade Taylor isn’t just a small guard, he’s a tiny one (sorry Wade, nothing personal). He measured in at 5’11” in shoes at the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament this year. For reference, the shortest players in the NBA this past season (Mike Conley, Jordan McLaughlin, and Jose Alvarado) are listed at an even six feet. That lack of size is a huge hurdle to clear. Taylor is an uber-confident scorer (14.6 PPG for his NCAA career) who made an impact that exceeded his height at the college level, but the NBA is a different beast. He’ll need to work on his efficiency and playmaking while continuing to not back down from any opponent if he’s going to stick around in the big league. Otherwise, he should be highly coveted by G League or EuroLeague teams that are more welcoming to small guards.
Izan Almansa is currently ranked 69th on ESPN’s top 100 big board. Dainja and Taylor are not ranked. None of the three were selected in ESPN or Bleacher Report’s latest mock drafts. Almansa was picked 58th in Yahoo Sports’ most recent mock.
Stay on the lookout for more Bucks draft analysis! Words on our top 47th pick targets will be coming soon.