One pick before the Oklahoma City Thunder swung a deal to land Ousmane Dieng in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards selected Johnny Davis out of Wisconsin. Two years later, both players were teetering on the edge of the dreaded “bust” label. But now, with Dieng showing flashes of promise in Milwaukee, it might be time for the Bucks to take a closer look at Davis - a fellow 2022 lottery pick who’s quietly working to revive his NBA career just down the road.
A Familiar Face in Wisconsin
Before the season tipped off, the Bucks’ G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd, made a subtle but telling move: they traded for Davis. That’s not nothing.
It shows the organization sees something worth exploring in the 22-year-old guard. And so far, Davis has been solid in Oshkosh - not lighting up the scoreboard, but showing enough to raise the question: could he be next in line for a shot with the big club?
Let’s rewind for a second. Davis was taken 10th overall in 2022, one spot ahead of Dieng.
But in three seasons with the Wizards, he never found his footing. His averages - 3.5 points, 1.6 boards, 0.6 assists per game - tell the story of a player who struggled to adjust to the NBA pace and physicality.
Frankly, another year at Wisconsin might’ve helped him better prepare for the leap.
But here’s the thing: the talent that got him drafted that high hasn’t disappeared.
A Glimpse of What Was - and Could Be Again
In his sophomore season with the Badgers, Davis was a force. He averaged 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, earning Consensus All-American honors.
He was a tough shot-maker, a gritty rebounder for his size, and a willing defender - traits that don’t just vanish overnight. It’s not hard to see why scouts were sold on his upside back in 2022.
Now, it’s about rediscovering that player - and maybe Milwaukee is the right place for that to happen.
The Dieng Blueprint?
Dieng’s resurgence in Milwaukee has been one of the more intriguing developments of the season. After struggling to find a role in OKC, he’s looked like a different player with the Bucks - confident, versatile, and engaged. Sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery, a new system, or a coaching staff that knows how to tap into a player’s strengths.
Could Davis be next in line for that kind of turnaround?
There are no guarantees, of course. But Milwaukee has a low-risk opportunity staring them in the face.
The Bucks currently have an open two-way contract slot - one that’s been sitting vacant for over a month. That’s a perfect landing spot for Davis.
He could continue to develop with the Herd, get occasional reps with the Bucks, and give the front office a real look at whether there’s something more to unlock.
A Smart Gamble
For a contending team like Milwaukee, finding value on the margins is crucial. They’ve already unearthed one potential gem from the 2022 lottery in Dieng. Why not roll the dice on another?
Davis is still young, still hungry, and still has the tools that once made him one of the most promising guards in his class. The Bucks don’t need him to be a star - they just need to see if there’s a role player in there somewhere. And with a two-way slot available, the cost of finding out is minimal.
Sometimes, second chances are all about timing and fit. For Johnny Davis, Milwaukee might just be the right place at the right time.