Since the last time they participated in the NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks have made some changes to their front office.

A few weeks ago, they named Justin Zanik assistant general manager; last month, they added Seth Partnow as a consultant to their growing analytics department; and, way back in September of 2015, they hired Rod Thorn as a special consultant.

How much, if at all, will the additions of the likely successor to GM John Hammond, the widely respected Nylon Calculus blogger and the longtime NBA executive, respectively, impact or influence the Bucks draft room? Milwaukee has changed its decision-making personnel; will that change its selection process? We'll soon see.

What it doesn’t change are the team’s biggest needs or the players expected to be available when the Bucks are on the clock with the No. 10 pick in Thursday night’s draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Milwaukee, which won eight fewer games last season and missed the playoffs in its second year under new ownership and head coach Jason Kidd, did not live up to much-hyped expectations. The team got worse on defense, falling from second in defensive rating in 2014-15 to 22nd last year. It forced fewer turnovers, which resulted in less fast-break offense, and it struggled to score in the half court, with a lack of shooters particularly, painfully clear. Its free-agent signing of center Greg Monroe didn’t work out as well as was hoped, and there are multiple players who can play multiple positions but perhaps don’t fluidly fit together very well. However, it’s the second-youngest squad in the NBA, and improvement will likely come more from internal improvement than outside additions.

Still, the Bucks desperately need outside shooting. In a league enamored with three-pointers, they were last in threes made and attempted in 2015-16. They could also use a big man (preferably defensive-minded) to either replace Monroe or play with him and John Henson in the frontcourt. They could also also use a point guard, someone to complement freakish point-forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and defend opposing one-guards.

They own three draft choices (barring trades), with their first-rounder supplemented by the Nos. 36 and 38 picks in the second round, so conceivably they could address all of those needs. Or they could take a page out of Packers general manager Ted Thompson’s sizzle book and draft the best player available, regardless of position. Hammond has said he likes his options at No. 10.

We won’t know what the team will do until tonight, but that doesn’t mean we can’t join the charmingly cacophonic chorus of mock-draft speculation and submit our suggestions for who we think Milwaukee should do. Thus, we offer this official OnMilwaukee draft pick prediction for each of the Bucks’ three selections.  

First Round, No. 10 overall

Henry Ellenson: The 19-year-old native of Rice Lake, Wis., had a phenomenal freshman season at Marquette, averaging 17.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 blocks in 33.5 minutes per game and being named to the All-Big East First Team and as the conference’s Freshman of the Year. He has the potential to be a difference-maker on offense, showed three-point range, rebounds and outlets at an NBA level already and can handle the ball, pass and run the floor well for a guy his size.

The biggest concerns with Ellenson are that he doesn’t have elite athleticism or lateral movement ability and will probably struggle to defend, especially early in his career. Who does he guard in the NBA is a fair question, but conversely, how many opponents can guard a 7-foot playmaking power forward who can pass, dribble and shoot threes?

Bucks director of scouting Billy McKinney said Ellenson is "definitely a stretch four" in the pros, adding that "shoots the lights out of the ball" and gave one of the best three-point displays McKinney had seen in a pre-draft workout. Ellenson may never be exceptionally quick or fast, but, given his broad frame, he’ll likely get stronger, and then his defensive capabilities can expand. The home-state kid is not only a great story, but a very good pick if he’s available at No. 10.

Second round, No. 36 overall

Chinanu Onuaku: Another 19-year-old big man, Onuaku does everything really well that Ellenson doesn’t. Chiseled, long, strong and athletic, he’s considered an elite defender who can rebound and block shots at a very high level. He’s already a force inside on the end of the court where Milwaukee needs the most help.

During his two seasons at Louisville, he showed almost no evidence of an offensive game, but if the Bucks are looking for someone to come in and be Larry Sanders without the personality concerns, Onuaku could be it.

Second round, No. 38 overall

Gary Payton II: The son of the Hall of Famer (and one of the least popular Bucks players ever), Payton II is a smothering on-ball defender with very good athleticism and a high work rate. He’s steadily improved every season, is an excellent rebounder for his position and has developed into an above-average three-point shooter.

Milwaukee is going to start the season with Giannis as the primary ball-handler and distributor, but the Greek Freak can’t defend point guards, so the team needs help underneath him. Payton’s ceiling is considered low compared to other second-round point guards – some experts think he could go undrafted, so we know we’re high on him here – but the Bucks can be certain they’re getting great defense and polished competence on offense.