Milwaukee Bucks: Grades and reactions for the Eric Bledsoe trade

Overall trade grade

This trade is nothing short of a home run for the Milwaukee Bucks.

There’s certainly risk attached in adding another player with a history of significant knee injuries, and replacing a well-liked locker room presence with a player who was disgruntled at his previous stop, but the cost of the deal makes that a risk worth taking for the Bucks.

Monroe’s name has been a staple of trade rumors for so long that the chances of him returning following unrestricted free agency already seemed slim. That was even before considering any financial obligations the Bucks may have with Jabari Parker. Although Monroe is a talented player who was incredibly useful for the Bucks last season, he ultimately amounted to little more than salary filler as an expiring contract.

Many Bucks fans would have gladly accepted a first and a second round pick as the price for Bledsoe, so to complete a deal with such stringent protections is a significant added bonus.

There’s a very real chance that the first round pick may not convey until 2020, and if that’s the case, the Bucks have wisely given themselves two more years of adding low cost, young talent to fill out the edges of their roster.

More immediately, Bledsoe will give Milwaukee the kind of offensive boost that they’ve been lacking behind Antetokounmpo late in games, while he’ll also present as a skilled defender who may help to bolster their creaking defensive efforts.

Sure, the trade does create concern in terms of center depth and negatively impacts the team’s already dismal rebounding, but it still seems likely that it will help the Bucks in more ways than it will hurt them.

Jon Horst showed he had the confidence and courage of his own convictions to go out and make a bold trade, and after a quiet summer, he’s now delivered in spades with his highest profile transaction to date.

Grade: A

Next: Win In 6 Podcast #157: Free throw woes, Thon Maker, second unit

What are your thoughts on the deal? Let us know in the comments below.