Amidst an aging roster and an ever-improving Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks selected two 19-year-old prospects in AJ Johnson and Tyler Smith in the NBA draft.

Both Johnson and Smith played in professional leagues instead of college.

Johnson, a 6-foot-5, 170-pound guard, averaged 2.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.7 minutes with the Illawarra Hawks of the NBL.

Readers vehemently opposed the Bucks selecting Johnson in the first round.

Instead of high school, Smith played in the Overtime Elite league, the same league that produced 2023 lottery twins Amen and Ausar Thompson. Smith then transitioned to the G League Ignite for the 2023-24 season.

The 6-foot-9 Smith averaged 13.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 blocks with the Ignite. He shot 47.6% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range on 4.0 attempts.

Given the initial reaction to the first-round choice, the Journal Sentinel again asked readers for their opinions, but this time on the second-round pick Tyler Smith.

Readers are generally accepting of Smith pick

Sixty-one percent of voters said they liked the Smith pick, versus 39% who are currently calling for general manager Jon Horst to step down.

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Bucks fans seemed pleased with Smith’s production and the potential role he could fit should Milwaukee move on from Bobby Portis.

Dissenters struggled to see how Smith could help the team win a championship this season given his age.

Below are some of the responses, edited lightly for clarity.

Voters accepting of Smith pick

Lawrence: We needed another big to come off the bench. It’s a bonus that he can shoot threes at a good clip.

Brooks: He has length and big potential

Bob: They need a stretch 4 who can switch defensively and shoot well from distance! Athletic, with vertical lift to defend, and finish around the rim.

Mel: He is more of what we needed, and I thought they should have taken him in round one.

TJ: Gives the Bucks some youth with upside and potential to play early if the Bucks trade Bobby (Portis).

Voters against Smith pick

Skip D: We need guys that can contribute now! Jon Horst should have been fired the minute the season ended along with Doc Rivers. This team is going down. I feel sorry for Giannis.

Jim: Shows that the team has put aside the win-now mentality.

Mark S: Passing up more than likely contributors hoping on more Giannis-type magic. Thin odds.

Glenn B: Tyler Kolek was still available and the Knicks traded 3 picks to move up and take him with the next selection. We needed a backup point guard.

John B: This is an aging roster that is constructed to win now, and neither of these 19-year-olds will contribute in the next two or three years.