Milwaukee Bucks: 4 players to target in the trade market
By Robby Cowles
Jeremy Lin
Last season, perhaps the Bucks biggest weakness was their bench. Especially with Brogdon being out with an injury for a large chunk of the year, the Bucks just had no reliable weapon off the bench. No contending NBA team would play Jason Terry for 20 minutes (!) in a Game 7 against the Boston Celtics, just like the Bucks did last season.
The Bucks added some pieces in the offseason to help bolster the bench a little by signing Connaughton and drafting DiVincenzo, not to mention the return of a fully-healthy Brogdon, but that still leaves a lot to be desired.
Enter Jeremy Lin.
Lin has bounced around the league the past couple of years since his Linsanity days. In the past six seasons, he’s suited up for the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets. Now, he’s on the rebuilding Atlanta Hawks with one year remaining on his contract.
In 2016, Lin signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets, but after appearing in only 37 games in the past two seasons because of injury, the Nets were ready to ship him out to Atlanta.
Having just turned 30, Lin does not likely factor into Atlanta’s future plans. Lin has battled with injuries, but when healthy, he’s shown himself to be a productive scorer on the perimeter. He’s a career double-digit scorer, capable shooter and has a career average of 8.4 assists per 100 possessions.
His injury history is frightening, but with just one year left on his contract, Lin could be a great low-risk, high-reward gamble for the Bucks. Having someone come off the bench and consistently produce would be a huge addition to Milwaukee.
Outside of Brogdon (who very well could be starting), there’s a hole in the roster in terms of ball-handlers off the bench, unless they’re going full-steam ahead with DiVincenzo and Brown, who are both unknowns at this point.
Lin could be a valuable asset off the bench, and the Bucks likely wouldn’t have to give up a whole lot to acquire him. The Hawks, unconcerned with wins now and instead focused on player development and asset hoarding, could be happy to get a young player like D.J. Wilson and a second round pick and have little problem absorbing Dellavedova’s contract as well.
Proposed trade: Hawks receive Matthew Dellavedova, D.J. Wilson and Bucks 2020 second Round pick for Jeremy Lin