The Milwaukee Bucks have struggled to make an impact in the 2024-25 NBA season, especially on the defensive end. As of this writing, the Bucks are 14th in the league in defense, with a net rating of 112.7. This is an improvement from last season, where they finished 19th in the league with a defensive rating of 115. They do hope to make progress in that regard, though.
One strategy that could help them is to execute a trade. With the absence of Khris Middleton, an important asset in their perimeter defense, the Bucks’ defense has not been elite. Sports Illustrated’s Matt Levine suggested a three-team trade would give Milwaukee access to a reliable perimeter defender.
According to Levine, targeting Dorian Finney-Smith of the Brooklyn Nets is possible, as long as there’s a third team involved. In his proposal, the Los Angeles Clippers is the hypothetical third team.
Levine proposed a trade that would have Finney-Smith to Milwaukee, Brook Lopez to Los Angeles, and Brooklyn would receive PJ Tucker and Terance Mann. However, this trade would put the Nets over the luxury tax.
The suggested three-team transaction might still be feasible with minor adjustments. Ziaire Williams would be part of the trade, but the Bucks would still obtain the 3-and-D forward. Lopez’s $23 million deal would have to be paid for by the Clippers. Lastly, Tucker and Mann, a forward tandem, will join the Nets.
Who are the other trade targets for the Milwaukee Bucks?
The Milwaukee Bucks seek to make improvements to their roster this season. One of the trade targets that have been rumored is the Nets’ scoring guard Cam Thomas. With an average of 24.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, the 6-foot-4 scoring guard is having a career year in Brooklyn.
Accoridng to longtime NBA writer Gery Woelfel, the Bucks have taken an interest in Finney-Smith and Thomas.
“There have been recent rumors the Bucks have interest in the Nets’ Cam Thomas and Dorian Finney-Smith,” Woelfel posted on X (formerly Twitter). “According to two NBA sources, the Nets are open to trading anyone on their roster. Said a GM about the Nets: ‘They’re getting ready to rebuild — again.'”
There have been recent rumors the Bucks have interest in the Nets’ Cam Thomas and Dorian Finney-Smith.
According to two NBA sources, the Nets are open to trading anyone on their roster.
Said a GM about the Nets: “They’re getting ready to rebuild — again.”— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) November 23, 2024
When asked who he believed would be a better fit with the Bucks, a fan asked the writer. Because Thomas is younger and a better scorer, Woelfel believes he would perform better than the other player.
“Thomas,” Woelfel replied. “He’s only 23 and already a big-time scorer.”
Thomas.
He’s only 23 and already a big-time scorer.— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) November 23, 2024
With Thomas, the Bucks could have another big-time scorer that could help them boost their offense.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
