With many splashier options like Zach Lavine off the table, the Milwaukee Bucks are dipping their toes into the pool of supplementary talent available on the trade market. While no team should expect to compete missing their five best players, as the Bucks were Monday against the Thunder, the starting lineup and available reserves in the 125-96 loss highlighted their lack of depth.
To that end, insider Marc Stein indicates that the team is considering a pair of cheap but productive wings currently rostered by Eastern Conference foes.
Citing Stein, one NBA outlet reports, “Sources say Milwaukee has eyed both Philadelphia’s Caleb Martin and Charlotte’s Cody Martin.” Identical twins, the Martin brothers both make around $8 million this season.
To acquire either player, the Bucks could easily send out Pat Connaughton ($9.4M) and a second round pick. Should they?
How a Caleb Martin Trade Would Help Milwaukee Bucks
Known for tough defense, Caleb is averaging 9.1 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.2 APG and 1.1 SPG while shooting 37.9% from three. He is essentially a more versatile, defensively superior version of Taurean Prince, not quite the same sharpshooter but a much better shot creator.
With Joel Embiid and Paul George injured, the 76ers have stumbled to 19-29 and should look to sell where they can. Martin is in the first year of a favorable contract, 4 years for $35M, but with Philly spinning its wheels, they could decide to invest in the future with Milwaukee’s 2031 second rounder.
Currently out with a hip injury, Martin last played on January 10; on the season, he has appeared in 31 games (24 starts) averaging 30.4 minutes. Since 2021-22 he has played at least 60 games each year.
How a Cody Martin Trade Would Help Milwaukee Bucks
Also 29 years of age, Cody too has been sidelined lately with an abdomen injury. He last played on January 24. On the season, his numbers are similar to his brother’s: 7.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.1 SPG and a 43.3 FG% vs Caleb’s 43.5%.
Less accurate from three-point range, Cody is shooting just 32.3% on triples. He is not the same defender as his brother but is nimble on the court and can switch between guard and small forward.
Although he has played 39 games this season (8 starts), durability is a concern as he made just 35 appearances during the two years prior. Compared to Philly, however, Charlotte is more likely to make a deal with Milwaukee, no questions asked. 12-35 and entrenched in the basement of the East, the Hornets are once again looking to tank and accumulate future draft capital.
Both Connaughton and Martin have two years on their contract, so Charlotte would not be further bogging their books by making the deal. From their position, flipping a role player for what should be a decent second rounder in 2031, assuming Milwaukee’s window remains open for a few more seasons with a rebuild pending after that, seems like a no-brainer.
How the Roster Would Be Impacted
If Milwaukee made no further moves before the deadline, either Martin would join a bench unit consisting of Bobby Portis, Khris Middleton, Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green. Of course, the Bucks could also replace Andre Jackson or Taurean Prince in the starting lineup–either with a rejuvenated Middleton later this season or, if Philly agreed to trade, with Caleb Martin, who is closer to starting-caliber than either Jackson or Prince.
Although a single move probably wouldn’t move the needle much, it would help the Bucks strengthen their rotations, balance workload, alleviate the impact of injuries and navigate injury management rest days for players like Middleton. Combined with other maneuvers, it could elevate the roster significantly.
With the roster as is, missing one or two guys stretches the second unit thin and forces Doc Rivers to play G League talents like Tyler Smith or ancient vets like Delon Wright. While developing young talent is important, playing time for Smith and others should come in brief spurts or in garbage time–Rivers shouldn’t have to rely on them for substantial, regular minutes.
If the 76ers or Hornets will play ball, seriously pursuing either Martin is a gimme as one of several smaller, subtle moves to construct a postseason-ready roster.
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