The Milwaukee Bucks’ biggest problem this 2023-24 season is their defense, but a proposed trade with the Brooklyn Nets addresses that issue.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Current Situation
Entering Thursday’s game against the Boston Celtics, the Bucks have lost four of their last five games. Their only win came against the hapless San Antonio Spurs, and they weren’t even able to dominate that contest as they ended up with just a narrow margin of victory, 125-121.
Prior to that, they bowed down to the Indiana Pacers in back-to-back games. Over their last two matchups, they lost to the Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz.
Milwaukee boasts way better records than all those teams. Nonetheless, what their recent slump proved is that they really need help defensively.
The Bucks were unable to hold any of those teams under 100 points. In fact, in that five-game stretch, Giannis Antetokounmpo and co. have allowed their opponents an average of 125.8 points. The Pacers dropped 142 on them in their second meeting of a back-to-back, while the Jazz hit them in the mouth with 132.
Even the Spurs, who are averaging 111.9 points per game this season, were able to score 10 points more than their usual average against the Bucks.
Mock Trade: Milwaukee Bucks Land Brooklyn Nets’ Defensive Stars
The Milwaukee Bucks clearly need help defensively. While they have a great offense led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, what their latest slump has shown is that they need defensive players to put everything together.
In a mock trade proposed by Fansided, the Bucks are able to address that by trading for Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O’Neal from the Brooklyn Nets.
Milwaukee would have to give up quite a bit to land the two, with the proposal sending Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, MarJon Beauchamp and two second-round picks (2024 and 2027) the other way. Nonetheless, considering the team’s recent shortcomings, it could very well be what they need.
“Both players are versatile forwards who play resiliently on the defensive end. With those attributes, they could undoubtedly sharpen the dull blade that is Milwaukee’s defense. This tandem, along with Jae Crowder, would give the Bucks a handful of legitimate big wing defenders who can guard bigger players and provide more resistance than most of Milwaukee’s current wings on the roster,” the Fansided mock trade noted.
Of course it’s hard to imagine the Bucks actually pulling off this deal, especially considering the risk it presents. They would have to give away their most valuable assets in hopes that they get the trade right.
It will definitely be interesting to see what the team does prior to the trade deadline, though, especially since it’s becoming increasingly clear that changes must be made for the Bucks to be able to go up against the top dogs in the league.
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