After two straight early exits by the Milwaukee Bucks, a team that features 2-Time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, All-Star Khris Middleton, and former Coach of the Year Mike Budenholzer is it time that the Bucks make a change to get this team over the slump? Teams like the Toronto Raptors did it by adding Kawhi for a season after coming up short in prior years. The Lakers just did it by adding Anthony Davis. The Bucks have a good foundation it is time for them to build an empire. It also might just be the only way they can keep Giannis in Milwaukee long term. In this series I’m going to break down some trade ideas that could improve this team. From the biggest names like Steph Curry to up and coming stars like Spencer Dinwiddie.
Trade #1: Steph Curry (Golden State)
We’re going big game hunting right off the bat here, the 3-time champion and 2-time MVP next to Giannis would be nightmares for opposing teams. However, the 32 year old Splash Brother carries 2 year 88 million dollar price tag to finish out his current contract. And Golden State while riddled with injuries in 2020 still feel confident a core of Curry, Thompson, and Green can contend with a loaded Western Conference. So just what would it take to get Curry to Milwaukee?
Trade
Bucks Receive Curry and future 2nd rd pick
Warriors Receive Middleton, Ilyasova, and DiVincenzo
GSW would get a all-star now in Middleton keeping them with a big 4 of Wiggins/Thompson/Green/Middleton. They would also get a young player in Donte DiVincenzo, and a veteran presence in Ersan Ilyasova. Both bring toughness and energy to a team lacked it for most of the 2020 season. This trade keeps them as playoff contenders now, while giving them flexibility in the future for a rebuild.
For the Bucks you get the best rim attacker in the league in Giannis and pair him with the deadliest shooter of all time. This also gives Milwaukee the flexibility to trade Bledsoe in another deal to add piece around them. Particularly in a small forward or bench depth.
Trade #2: Chris Paul (Oklahoma City)
The outlook for Paul drastically improved this past season. Due to his huge contract many believe the Thunder would have to give Paul away for a bag of rusty bolts and a half eaten bag of chips. But now after helping get the Thunder to the playoffs in 2020 it will be much harder to get OKC to move Paul.
Trade
Bucks Receive Paul and Dort
Thunder Receive Bledsoe, Ilyasova, Wilson, Hill and a 2nd rd pick
This trade would allow OKC to add veteran help they lose with Paul while gaining toughness and defense. They also get to unload Paul’s contract freeing them up financially to make so moves.
Milwaukee would get to keep Middleton in this deal which is huge while getting a true number 2 guy. Paul a great passer, and reliable 3 point shooter, can more importantly create his own shot when things breaks down. This would create a big 3 of Giannis/CP3/Middleton. Also in the deal Milwaukee would get Luguentz Dort, a young player who is buried deep on the depth chart in OKC. However his ability to shoot would add a young piece to the bench depth. The big lose here for Milwaukee is George Hill who has handled the 2nd unit over the last two seasons and is a valuable contributor. However, the adding of Paul is worth the lose for the Bucks.
Trade #3: Spencer Dinwiddie (Brooklyn)
Spencer Dinwiddie looked like a superstar in the making in Brooklyn in the 2018-2019 season as he lead a young Brooklyn team. However, the Nets last off-season decided to pair Kyrie Erving with Kevin Durant while adding other veterans to the teams. The result has suppressed some of the youth movement in Brooklyn. With Dinwiddie’s contract almost up, Brooklyn could look move him for a veteran presence behind Irving. Also allowing Dinwiddie to blossom else where.
Trade
Bucks Receive Dinwiddie and Claxton
Nets Receive Bledose and a future 1st rd pick
Bledsoe who is an all NBA defender brings toughness and defense to a team who lacks it. He would also be an instant 6th man of the year candidate for Brooklyn, who could fill in for Irving. They would also get a 1st that could be used in other potential trades.
The Bucks would get two players who are young and could be instant impacts for them now. Dinwiddie would be an offensive upgrade to Bledsoe and has shown he can create for himself as well. Nicolas Claxton is a power forward and center who would bring athleticism off the bench and could grow into the replacement for Brook Lopez.
Trade #4: De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento)
A guy who might just be as streaky as Bledsoe from 3, De’Aaron Fox who is the odd man out possibly for the Kings as they haven’t yet signed him to an extension. Fox’s makes up for his shooting by being able to create for himself and others.
Trade
Bucks Receive Fox and future 2nd rd pick
Kings Receive Bledsoe
For the Kings they get a reliable point guard who would bring a toughness and leadership to a young team to pair with Hield and Bogdonovic in the back court.
The Bucks would get a 1 year flyer on Fox before having to commit to him long term. More importantly would also get a pick back and a little cap space this season. If Fox does pan out he is guy that would bring valuable scoring off of the dribble to a an offense that at times looks stale. For Fox partnered with Giannis and Middleton should allow him to improve his shooting from range.
Trade # 5: Jrue Holiday (New Orleans)
Holiday who has been a really good point guard over his career and has been a solid 3 point scorer. He has also improved his passing and scoring off the dribble over his career making him a really good scoring option, and it might just be time he gets to play on a contending team.
Trade
Bucks Receive Holiday and swap 1st
Pelicans Receive Bledsoe and Ilyasova
Bledsoe would fit in with a young teams as a leader and defensive anchor while replacing Holiday as a potential 4th option behind Williamson, Ingram, and Reddick. Ilyasova likely would get waved to help create more cap space for the Pelicans to resign Ingram but would allow more flexibility for the Pelicans cap wise.
The Bucks would get an instant upgrade offensively over Bledsoe, in Holiday and would mesh well with Giannis and Middleton. Like Dinwiddie and Fox, Holiday likely isn’t a 2nd option offensively for this team but would be an upgrade over the current situation and would bring a scoring punch to this team while helping with the spacing on offense.
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