The Bucks have needed an all-around shooting guard for a while now. Donte DiVincenzo showed flashes. Forbes was a lights-out shooter but a revolving door on defense. Grayson Allen seemed to be the answer, a lights-out shooter and decent defender, but when the Bucks needed him most, he vanished. De’Anthony Melton presents an exciting option for the Bucks at shooting guard. He was traded from the Grizzlies to the 76ers, meaning he can only be traded by himself or after August 23rd. Below are two possible trades that could get Melton to the Bucks.
Trade Option 1:
This is my least favorite trade option of the two, as the Bucks lose Grayson Allen in this deal. Allen and Melton both had similar seasons. Grayson was more efficient and put up more points, while Melton was the better defender and provided more rebounding and playmaking to his squad. This trade would be an almost straight-up swap.
Both players are making roughly $8 mil a year for the next two seasons, so the money works out. I believe the Bucks would have to throw in a 2nd round pick to get the deal done as Melton is three years younger than Allen. Melton is also arguably the better overall player, so the 76ers may want some more value.
Predicted Trade:
Bucks receive – De’Anthony Melton
76ers receive: Grayson Allen, 2nd round pick
Why would the 76ers make this trade?
It gives them more shooting from their backup shooting guard position. Of the shooting guards on their roster, James Harden was their best 3PT shooter at 32.6%. Thybulle and Korkmaz are both below-average shooters as well. Harden provides the 76ers with elite playmaking, Thybulle provides the 76ers with an elite defense, and Grayson Allen would provides the 76ers with elite 3PT shooting.
Why would the Bucks make this trade?
Despite his checkered past, Grayson Allen became a fan favorite after shooting 41% from 3PT range in the regular season. He had a good first series against the Bulls but was nearly unplayable against the Celtics, shooting 21% from 3. That said, in his limited playing time, Melton hasn’t been very good in the playoffs either. Melton hasn’t shot above 30% from 3 in his two playoff trips.
Yes, getting Melton could be risky, but Melton still has more room to grow than Allen. At 23, he is only going to get better, and he’s already a better defender, playmaker, and rebounder. Melton could become a new fan favorite in Milwaukee if he becomes more consistent from 3, as he did in 2020-21, where he shot 41% from behind the arc.
Trade Option 2:
This is the option I prefer as it gets George Hill off of the roster and allows the Bucks to keep Grayson Allen. This trade would not be able to happen until after Melton’s trade restriction is up on August 23rd. The trade would revolve around a sign and trade involving Jordan Nwora, assuming Nwora hasn’t accepted any offers over the next month and a half.
Predicted Trade:
Bucks receive: De’Anthony Melton and a 2nd round pick
76ers receiver: Jordan Nwora, George Hill, and a first-round pick
Why would the 76ers make this trade?
The 76ers have a logjam at shooting guard. Currently, on the roster, they have four shooting guards, including De’Anthony Melton. Now, why would the 76ers want George Hill? For starters, he’s a vet that knows the system (he played 16 games with the 76ers in 2020-21), and the 76ers have no backup PG on the roster other than Jaden Springer, who played 6 minutes all last season. Nwora would also provide the 76ers with a potential backup small forward as I believe Nwora could beat out Georges Niang for that spot. Nwora has shown many flashes of being a solid role player, and the 76ers could be a team to take a chance on him, seeing as Niang is only getting older and Nwora is only 23.
Why would the Bucks make this trade?
For starters, it gets George Hill off of the roster. To the dismay of many Bucks fans, Coach Bud played Hill 76 minutes too many during the playoffs. With the re-signing of Jevon Carter, Hill becomes expendable for the Bucks. Losing Nwora does hurt, but he has too much potential to be rotting on the Bucks bench behind Khris and Pat. Giving up a first does hurt, but it is just a swap with the Pelicans, and the Bucks gain an extra 2nd in this deal.
Melton is still very young and has played both shooting guard and point guard, so this trade could either solve the Bucks’ backup point guard problem or starting shooting guard problem. He played both positions well, and having an all-around guard like Melton on the team is an asset. Plus, keeping Allen on the roster provides a very solid shooting guard rotation with Melton.
Final Thoughts
Will this trade happen? It is doubtful. I believe the Bucks are content with keeping Grayson Allen on the roster as their shooting guard. I think Melton is the perfect player for the Bucks because he fills two needs for the Bucks. It is also very unlikely that Nwora will go unsigned until the end of August to make the second trade option work.
That being said, don’t be surprised to see Melton’s name floating around in December as a guy who could help the Bucks once all of the recently signed free agent restrictions are up.
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