Slim started in a Bucks win today :


Rafael Castro picked up four steals today, a game-high. He is very strong defensively, and this game proved it. Castro was one of the most interesting undrafted prospects because of his elite agility and athleticism, along with his strong positional size and wingspan.

Castro, in particular, was everywhere on the defensive end. The 2025-26 National Defensive Player of the Year finalist used his 85-inch wingspan to apply an insane amount of pressure everywhere on the court. 

Castro showed exciting versatility on the pick-and-roll, either barreling down the lane or popping outside and finding an open man.
 

Last edited by The Dude (7/04/2026 5:54 pm)

BM wrote:

https://behindthebuckpass.com/bucks-already-found-next-hidden-gem-summer-league-game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOMYZXE3bh8

At the end of the video, the announcer says that he "turned down" a late draft selection by the clippers in favor of the Bucks two-way. Didn't know you could turn down teams.

There was some discussion of this in the "Simple Question" thread the day after the Draft.

The Dude wrote:

BM wrote:

https://behindthebuckpass.com/bucks-already-found-next-hidden-gem-summer-league-game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOMYZXE3bh8

At the end of the video, the announcer says that he "turned down" a late draft selection by the clippers in favor of the Bucks two-way. Didn't know you could turn down teams.

Good highlights! Worth a view!

In the first 2 minutes of his first ever NBA (summer league) game Slim had an assist a steal and a block, signs of things to come.   He looks very much like a long career NBA player.

Let’s not get carried away.  He looks like a defensive force, but the offense needs a lot of work. So far he seems like a big man version of Mattys Thuybulle.

Free Quebec wrote:

The Dude wrote:

BM wrote:

https://behindthebuckpass.com/bucks-already-found-next-hidden-gem-summer-league-game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOMYZXE3bh8

At the end of the video, the announcer says that he "turned down" a late draft selection by the clippers in favor of the Bucks two-way. Didn't know you could turn down teams.

Good highlights! Worth a view!

In the first 2 minutes of his first ever NBA (summer league) game Slim had an assist a steal and a block, signs of things to come. He looks very much like a long career NBA player.

Let’s not get carried away. He looks like a defensive force, but the offense needs a lot of work. So far he seems like a big man version of Mattys Thuybulle.

Mattys Thuybulle has played 7 years in a row in the NBA.   I'd be pleased/expect to  see Castro have that type of a long term NBA role player career.  Defensively impactful, NBA role player.

He's also 6'5, Castro is 6'11 the league doesn't have many 6'5 guys who are that limited offensively, there are a couple of dozen 6'11 type guys with 7'2 wingspans in the league.   I don't see Slim developing that much offensively, he's going to have his role, he will stick to his role.   Defensive disruption, rebounding, set screens.  Defend the pick and role.   

Prediction is  he will end up looking like a not quite as good Claxton/Mitchell Robinson, best case scenario.  Castro though is already a better passer.   How much do any of those guys do offensively outside of lob threats?

 

Did Slim and his agent get fleeced by Milwaukee? I'm a bit surprised he's seen limited run in Vegas through two games (the California Classic games don't really count honestly). If he's on a two-way wouldn't the Bucks want to see what they have by playing him at least a little?

It'd be majorly disappointing if his two-way contract got pulled when he turned down opportunities to at least get drafted.

The Bucks had 19 guys at the game last night, 9 of them didn't play at all

Bucks and Slim play again tonight, 9pm televised on Amazon Prime, expect he'll play more tonight