Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry indicated Monday that the Bucks will likely use the second overall pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft on Duke’s Jabari Parker or Kansas’ Andrew Wiggins. Foot surgery for Kansas big man Joel Embiid last week has seemingly knocked him out of the Bucks plans.
After a 15-67 record last season, the Bucks are looking for immediate help. At a meeting of the Milwaukee Press Club and Rotary Club on Monday morning, Lasry said, “I think he’s a phenomenal individual, but with the injury and not knowing how severe or long it will take to recover, I think for us today we’re going to want somebody who’s going to help us on Day One.”
Lasry talked about building a foundation of young players over the next two or three seasons that would help attract free agents. “Nobody’s coming to Milwaukee if the team does what it did last year,” said Lasry.
The Bucks are also seeking public financing to help build a new arena. Lasry and co-owner Wes Edens have put up $100 million, and former owner Herb Kohl has done the same. Lasry said he estimates it could take $350 million to $400 million to build a new arena.