NBA Trade Season is Here: Who Might the Bucks Look to Add?
Now with the NBA In-Season Tournament over, NBA news tends to switch to everyone’s favorite: NBA Trade Rumors!
As the season wears on for the Chicago Bulls, guard Alex Caruso looks like a better and better fit in Milwaukee. That is of course because the trade makes more and more sense for Milwaukee as the season grinds on: they’ll continue to need to give up less and less to acquire him. Giving up MarJon and Bobby really does not make a ton of sense for the Bucks here. But if that asking price continues to creep lower and lower…
We’ve talked about adding him here a lot in this space. Here are two pieces from other Wi Sports Heroics Writers on a pending move.
#1-https://wisportsheroics.com/milwaukee-bucks-alex-caruso/
#2- https://wisportsheroics.com/milwaukee-bucks-alex-caruso-trade-bulls/
Adding Dennis Smith Jr., Brooklyn Nets
The defensive minded point guard would be an interesting player to add. As a player who can guard the point guard position up to the small forward position, Smith Jr. draws comparison to Derrick Rose and even Jevon Carter on defense.
What would it take to get him? Maybe an AJ Green and a 2024 second round pick?
Smith Jr. has a very workable contract (2.1 million this year) and again, like the Chicago Bulls, as the season wears on the Brooklyn Nets might want to make moves for future draft capital. He is a very “movable” guy. He certainly would add bench depth and defense.
Adding TJ Warren
We’ve already discussed that in this space, along with a rudimentary explanation of the NBA buyout market, the NBA street free agent TJ Warren. The team is a roster spot or two away from really needing to look at some of these guys. 👇
https://wisportsheroics.com/former-indiana-pacer-could-be-an-easy-milwaukee-bucks-target/
The argument can certainly be made that Warren adds more offense when what it seems like Milwaukee needs is defense. But if he can be a “DemarCus Cousins-like” add, what would the team be giving up? Well- nothing.
Adding Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons
This one is highly unlikely but possible. It really became unlikely with the recent emergence of “Big Bob on dat a%s” Portis.
“Bobby, Bobby, Bobby” Portis has been playing really well so dealing him has become increasingly unlikely.
Plus, the only reason he seems to be worth mentioning is the Heat and Celtics appear to have an interest. NBA trade rumors are what they are. So should Milwaukee?
A 6-foot-8, the 250-pound big forward with a knack for versatile-adjacent defense has some limited offensive tendencies. Of course with Dame and Giannis, many of the offensive touches are spoken for. Stewart has improved to become a workable starter for the Pistons in the last three seasons. He could be traded for, for “not much”.
Check out the Spurs Game Preview Here:👇
https://wisportsheroics.com/milwaukee-bucks-spurs-preview-for-12-19-23/
A Jevon Carter Reunion?
Lost in the Alex Caruso rumors are the potential for a possible Jevon Carter reunion. Carter has simply not played all that well in Chicago. Would Milwaukee be willing to give up a 2029 second round pick to try to reacquire him?
If Milwaukee would have an interest in acquiring Dennis Smith Jr who is comparable to “Jevon Carter”, why not just go out and get Carter?
Maybe this happens. Again as the Bulls season continues to grind on, the asking price for their players goes down and down.
A PJ Tucker Reunion?
Speaking of reunions, what about PJ “My Dawg” Tucker reunion? Tucker is a potential buyout candidate for the Bucks. How cool would it be to add his defensive presence to this team?
Up Next for the Milwaukee Bucks
The (20-7) Milwaukee Bucks take on the (17-9) Orlando Magic Thursday Night at home. The Bucks had a nice team win vs the Spurs Tuesday night 132-119. The schedule makers have been very kind to the Bucks on this one: Orlando is on a back-to-back.
Of course all of the possible “adds” and rumors may end up just being that: rumors. The NBA trade season always ends up to be a ton of speculation. With the return of Jae Crowder, the Bucks might not want to add much else. Either way, I can’t imagine many fans wouldn’t take this (20-7) start.
It has been a fun ride so far.
Follow me on Twitter at @authorrudylb and check out my other writings at www.rudylb.com. Follow us at @WiSportsHeroics! For all things Wisconsin sports, click here! Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!