The Milwaukee Bucks made a splash at the trade deadline early Wednesday when they traded long-time Buck Khris Middleton and draft compensation to the Washington Wizards for forward Kyle Kuzma. While the move has been criticized by Bucks fans, the move makes sense from a salary perspective, as the Bucks have now navigated themselves below the second apron and have a bit more flexibility for other moves before the February 6 deadline. The question is, what moves, if any, are to follow?
The Milwaukee Bucks Are Still Involved in Several Rumors
Since the Kuzma deal, the Bucks have been linked with several players. While nothing they do will meet the splash of the Lakers adding Luka Dončić, they are still some marginal adds that could help the Bucks improve.
Firstly, Hornets forward Cody Martin has been rumored to several teams, including Milwaukee. Martin’s twin brother Cody was recently dealt by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Dallas Mavericks traded Quentin Grimes and draft compensation for him, valuing his veteran experience, offensive upside, and proven defensive ability.
New York Knicks center Jericho Sims has also been swirling around multiple teams. In addition to the Bucks, the Clippers have also been linked to Sims. An athletic center, Sims does not have a large role on the current Knicks squad and could be flipped to a team where he could have a greater impact. The Bucks could find a use for him behind Brook Lopez. Sims is a more traditional inside scorer without much of an outside jump shot, but is still a sparky and energetic rebounder and rim protector.
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The other matter is the buyout market. After recently being sent to the Utah Jazz, veteran forward PJ Tucker appears set to hit the buyout market, and some feel the now-39-year-old may be interested in rejoining the Bucks.
What Assets to the Bucks Have Left?
Pat Connaughton remains a contract that will be critical to getting another significant deal done. The 32-year-old is on a 9.5 million dollar salary for this year, with a player option at a similar number for next year. Many speculated that Connaughton would be dealt in order to accommodate a larger trade for someone like Zach LaVine, but that has not materialized yet.
The Bucks do not exactly have a treasure chest of young players. Rookie AJ Johnson was just dealt to the Wiz as part of the Kuzma deal. However, third year player Marjon Beauchamp is still on the roster. He is a somewhat promising young player who could be included as a sweetener in a deal.
Veteran Bobby Portis has been included in various mock trades away from Milwaukee. Perhaps the Bucks could use him as an asset in a trade or even acquire draft compensation for him that they could package in a separate deal. Lastly, the Bucks retained their 2031 first round pick and could still leverage that to make an addition
Other Ideas for the Milwaukee Bucks
It was recently reported that the Chicago Bulls, who are seemingly tanking following the LaVine trade, are looking to flip the recently acquired Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter, and Tre Jones. While Collins and Huerter are on contracts that the Bucks would have trouble matching with in a deal, Jones is on a modest $9.1 million and could be acquirable if the Bucks desired a younger point guard with playmaking upside.
Frenchmen Guerschon Yabusele has been impressing in Philadelphia this season and has been made available. It may be possible for the Bucks to trade for the veteran big man, who could be a decent defensive piece and a stretch big on offense.
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