Overall Trade Grade
It’s strange to come to a point where you have to grade a deal that may consist of no discernible positives or negatives really heading in either direction in terms of basketball production, but this is that trade.
Unless there are more deals to come involving Hibbert or Hawes, it’s hard to say this moves the needle for the Bucks in terms of getting their playoff chase back on track this season. At the same time, they haven’t lost any piece that was even remotely valuable to the good play we’ve seen from this year either.
More from Behind the Buck Pass
- Bucks 2023-24 player profile: Can MarJon Beauchamp take a leap?
- Piecing together the Milwaukee Bucks’ dream starting 5 in 5 years
- Predicting Thanasis Antetokounmpo’s 2023-24 stats for the Bucks
- Grade the trade: Bucks land reputable backup guard in swap with Pacers
- New workout video should have Milwaukee Bucks fans excited
Plumlee was rooted to the bench for the majority of the Bucks’ best play, while Steve Novak (who was waived to open up a roster spot) spent most nights as an incredibly passionate cheerleader who rarely found himself with the need to suit up. Sure, the Bucks could use another guard, but even if Hibbert and Hawes rack up DNPs, they’re not costing you anything.
Moving back to the numbers, this is where it becomes clear just how positively this deal may affect those who really do matter in Milwaukee’s future.
Not only do the Bucks have to think about Greg Monroe’s future this summer, but also useful rotation players such as Tony Snell and Michael Beasley. Jabari Parker will also be eligible for an extension in the coming offseason. Stretch it beyond that, and the Bucks have every reason to be financially prudent so that they can afford to retain Khris Middleton when he hits free agency in 2019.
This deal may not seem central to that, but if the Bucks can move forward over the next few seasons with a center rotation of John Henson, a rookie-scale Thon Maker and a re-signed Greg Monroe collectively covering their center needs, the savings in moving from Plumlee’s contract to a rookie deal could make all the difference.
This was a contract that most Bucks fans deemed to be untradable without being packaged with a first round pick, and the fact that they managed to move it without even parting with a second round pick is truly commendable.
Overall Grade: A
Next: Milwaukee Bucks: Player Power Rankings (Jan. 26-Feb. 1)
Stick with us at Behind the Buck Pass for more reaction to the trade in the coming days!