Milwaukee Bucks were reportedly interested in Kemba Walker
By Adam McGee
As the Milwaukee Bucks continue to be at the center of all sorts of change, Marc Stein suggests they previously held an interest in trading for Charlotte Hornets’ guard Kemba Walker.
The past 24 hours have been exceptionally busy for the Milwaukee Bucks, but that doesn’t mean that things are going to quieten down for the team any time soon.
With the trade deadline set for February 8 this year, the Bucks could well have a busy couple of weeks ahead of them if they’re determined to upgrade their roster.
The decision to fire Jason Kidd came with confirmation from general manager Jon Horst and ownership that they still see plenty of opportunity for the current season, and that may ultimately result in some moves to retool the roster for the final push this season.
On Tuesday afternoon, the latest indication of just how aggressive and inquisitive the Bucks are prepared to be emerged via a report on Twitter from Marc Stein of the New York Times.
Stein reports the Bucks had reached out to the Charlotte Hornets about a trade for Kemba Walker, prior to Hornets’ owner Michael Jordan clarifying the circumstances in which his team would be open to dealing the point guard.
The Bucks were among the teams that engaged Charlotte in Kemba Walker trade talks before Michael Jordan’s pronouncement that he’d rather not deal Walker, according to league sources.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 23, 2018
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Jordan spoke to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer earlier on Tuesday in regard to Walker’s reported availability.
"“We bred him, we chose him, we groomed him to be a good player for us.I’m not looking to trade Kemba, but I would listen to opportunities.”"
If Jordan is true to his word, that would likely signal the end of any Bucks’ pursuit of Walker. Still, the team’s interest in Walker says something about Milwaukee’s current mindset.
Without any pressing need at point guard thanks to Eric Bledsoe and Malcolm Brogdon, interest in Walker falls in line with the previously reported interest in DeAndre Jordan. The Bucks seem to be inquiring about any and all potentially available top-end talent, with the focus seemingly being further upgrades rather than a specific fit.
In a newsletter for the New York Times, Stein touched further on the Bucks’ trade intentions by following other notable NBA reporters in painting Milwaukee as a particularly eager team with the deadline approaching.
"“The Bucks have been one of the more active teams in the league before the Kidd news, most notably pursuing DeAndre Jordan. They will almost certainly make at least one deal in the next two weeks and change.”"
Of course, the big question is just how willing the Bucks are going to be to shake things up without having any plan in place for a head coach beyond the current season.
Will be fascinating to see what Milwaukee does now in the wake of Jason Kidd’s dubious dismissal. Trade deadline is Feb. 8 and the Bucks — who’ve had Giannis, Middleton and Jabari together for ZERO minutes over the past two seasons — have been actively seeking roster upgrades
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 23, 2018
Next: Milwaukee Bucks: What to expect from Joe Prunty’s Bucks
With just over two weeks to go to the deadline, the one thing that currently seems certain is that the Bucks will be involved in more rumors.