Bucks set to make a move, but for who?
An NBA roster holds 15 spots and teams can carry up to 20 guys in the offseason. NBA teams can also carry two guys on a two-way contract between the NBA squad and the G-League affiliate.
With the NBA Trade Deadline coming up on Feb. 9th it certainly stands to reason that the Milwaukee Bucks will make some type of move. But who should they add? Jae Crowder? Bradley Beal? Trae Young? What big trade can be made? Or will it be a little roster “tweak”?
Fans (and maybe even team members and coaches) would love to add someone to help them make a deep playoff run. To do that, that player or players must fit into the “What do the Bucks want?” category. See below.
Of course, you can’t make a deal without having something to trade away.
What do the Bucks have to trade away?
First off, it seems like Serge Ibaka is gone. He wants to be gone, the Bucks don’t have a problem keeping him around as a 4th big. But like that relationship you had where the other person wasn’t all that into you, you don’t have to be into them either.
The 33-yr old, 13-year NBA veteran is on a one year deal for $2.9 million. Don’t be surprised if at the deadline Milwaukee trades him away for a future, distant 2nd round pick. And that might be it.
According to Fanspro.com, Milwaukee has draft picks. Just not a lot of first rounders. The real “deal-able picks” are two second round picks this year and two second round picks next year. Maybe two of those and a player do get moved for Eric Gordon?
Milwaukee’s next first round pick isn’t until 2028. And for anxious fans that is ok. It fits a larger league trend of teams like Houston, OKC and Detroit who are stockpiling picks vs teams like Milwaukee, Minnesota and Cleveland who are using picks to acquire veteran players to make the playoffs now. Not having younger guys is a problem for “future” Milwaukee Bucks’ fans.
Finally, the Bucks have other veteran players to trade (Nwora, Hill, Portis, Allen) even though it would be an absolute shocker if they traded Khris Middleton. Grayson Allen could be had but it has to be for something of greater value. Allen probably helps the Bucks more than Cam Reddish. Allen has embraced the team’s culture and might not be as good, long-term, as Reddish. But this deadline is also about short-term gains.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is 28. These are his prime years. You move a pick or any player if it gets you closer to an NBA Championship. It is tough because everyone is expendable while no one is.
Related: Bucks Midseason Grades Part One
Related: Bucks Midseason Grades Part Two
What do the Bucks want?
First and foremost Milwaukee wants a player that fits into their locker room mentality. What is that? Simply put, work hard, attack the basket, shoot the three and play tough. This is a veteran team that has a reserved mentality. For the Bucks you don’t just say, “I wanna work hard.” You are playing with arguably a top player in the world. You have to show you’ll work hard.
Would Jae Crowder fit that mentality? It certainly would seem so. That is probably why the team wanted to talk to him first. Check out this “reasonable” tweet below.
Bucks gotta get Jae Crowder. Would be the fourth time in five years under Bud that they traded for a combo forward at the trade deadline, fifth consecutive year trading for a veteran frontcourt player.
— DeAndre Jordan Fan Account (@GOATJordanSZN) January 31, 2023
Milwaukee also wants shooting. Guys that can hit threes. Here, don’t be surprised if someone gets moved who no one has even talked about. Collin Sexton of the Jazz? Devin Vassell of the Spurs?
Don’t forget the buyout market. We were talking about that back in November and those names still seem relevant. The Bucks have a ton of ways to add that “15th” guy. Maybe Milwaukee stumbles into a veteran player from Toronto or Detroit that has even more value than what they currently have?
Who can it be to best help them win another NBA Championship? We will know soon.
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2 Comments
We need to go after Durant……I’m sure he will take a pay cut to win another chip…. That’s my honest opinion
I’ve actually had been thinking of that myself. Granted Kevin Durant is older, but he is still a great player who’d bring some more size and power inside. This Bucks team when 100% healthy are incredibly talented and dangerous to play against! However they haven’t seen 100% healthy all at the same time for a while, and having some extra help in case of that problem/situation again, especially close to the playoffs or the run to the playoffs? While I’d hate to see them lose a top guy, I honestly don’t think Bud would drop ANY of the top 4 players.