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Tying Up Loose Ends: Josh McRoberts As A Buck?

By Antony Ludwig

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As discussed in Behind the Buck Pass’ latest podcast, the Bucks currently have a full roster of 15 players, but the Jared Dudley trade seemed to signal further roster movement, while the acquisition of Greivis Vasquez overloaded the backcourt and the trade of Ersan Ilyasova thinned out the frontcourt.

Put all of that together, and it looks like there’s at least one more roster move in store for Milwaukee before the season gets underway in October.

To best even out the roster, the Bucks would do well to exchange one of their surplus of point guards for a straight power forward, as there is some positional uncertainty at the four with Ilyasova gone and Dudley departed as well.

One man that has been rumored to be on the trading block is Miami’s Josh McRoberts, as the Heat are trying to clear salary to get their cap situation under control. A career journeyman at the age of 28, ‘McBob’ should be relatively easy to acquire, should the Bucks seek to do so.

Nov 20, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Josh McRoberts (right) talks with guard

Shabazz Napier

(left) during the first half against Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

If the Bucks do go after McRoberts, it would make sense from a personnel standpoint. McRoberts is a prototypical ‘stretch four’, a career 34 percent three-point shooter. His career PER of 13 is also indicative of a solid bench player, and his experience as a role player and substitute would make his presence on the Bucks a low-pressure one, with no push for starter’s minutes.

Going back to the 2013-14 season, McRoberts’ last full season before suffering a season-ending injury in this past year, his per-36 averages were 10/5/5, a solid and well-rounded performance that would fit right into the Bucks team effort from the reserves.

The Bucks are a team of ‘tweeners’, or players who can play multiple positions.

Both Jabari and Giannis play both forward positions interchangeably. Middleton ostensibly plays shooting guard, but the data tracking some media outlets use says he plays as a power forward. The big new free agent addition, Greg Monroe, has played both power forward and center for extended stretches during his career. Jerryd Bayless is also a typical combo guard.

We’ve seen that type of shifty, amorphous lineup pay dividends last season, but there’s something to be said for the standard archetypes at each position, of which a stretch four is one in today’s NBA.

Nov 1, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Miami Heat forward Josh McRoberts (4) drives past Philadelphia 76ers forward

Brandon Davies

(0) and guard

K.J. McDaniels

(14) during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Heat defeated the 76ers, 114-96. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

So trading for Josh McRoberts looks like a very good idea from an on-court perspective, but what would it take to actually acquire him?

The Heat are mostly interested in clearing salary so they can chase free agents they feel could upgrade their roster.

Unfortunately for them (and also for the Bucks’ hopes of landing McBob), rumored Heat targets such as David West, Monta Ellis, and Lou Williams have all signed elsewhere while Dwyane Wade signed a one-year $20 million contract to return to Miami.

So, unless the Heat have their eyes set on a free agent that’s still out there such as JR Smith or a trade which would require them to take on salary, the chances they look to trade McRoberts are only decreasing.

If they do still want to deal McRoberts, a package from the Bucks of Jerryd Bayless, Jorge Gutierrez, and Johnny O’Bryant should be workable.

McRoberts makes about $5.5 million this season, while the Bayless is set to make $3 million. Gutierrez is on a non-guaranteed contract and would be quickly waived, while O’Bryant’s deal is partially guaranteed. This deal would only clear $2 million in salary for Miami, the difference between Bayless and McRoberts’ salaries.

That wouldn’t be worth it for Miami, but is the Heat included Chris Andersen as well, the Heat would clear a total of $7 million, which could be enough to net them a low-end starter of good bench piece.

Ultimately, if the Heat want to clear space there’s a deal to be made with the Bucks, and the Bucks could use some roster space and a more even depth chart. If there’s one thing this offseason has shown us, it’s that Jason Kidd  John Hammond is always looking to get something done.

Next: Finding The Balance: The Jason Kidd - John Hammond Situation

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