Milwaukee Bucks: 3 biggest hurdles for making a Chris Paul trade – Personality conflict?
This is certainly the most subjective point to cover, but it’s reportedly one that the Bucks have given thought to as a reason why they wouldn’t pursue a Paul deal this offseason.
Whether it was over his time with the Clippers, otherwise known as the “Lob City” era of the organization, or his relationship with Houston Rockets star James Harden, personality conflicts have followed Paul over his NBA career. That certainly comes with the territory of having gone through the many tough, heartbreaking playoff defeats that have followed Paul over his 15 years in the league.
There’s no question that Paul adheres to adage of winning at all costs, but is it possible that the Bucks are more afraid of severely altering their hierarchy as its currently set up?
That’s a pertinent question, given that Antetokounmpo recorded the seventh-highest usage percentage in NBA history, per Basketball-Reference.com. Add in Khris Middleton growing into his own as a primary hub for the Bucks’ offense and their established system has reaped the rewards for them individually and throughout the regular season. Well, that was the case until the playoffs came around.
By that same logic, though, Paul isn’t as ball-dominant of a player as he’s projected, with his career 23.9 usage percentage.
In many ways, the strengths that Paul brings to the table, between his skills on the ball and the way he deliberately organizes a team’s offense, would bring a much-needed dynamic to the Bucks’ run-and-gun offense that largely masks their shot creation issues within their backcourt during the postseason specifically.
Should all of that be enough to dissuade the Bucks from exploring a deal for a future Hall of Famer in Paul? Bucks fans would collectively say it shouldn’t, but the organization feels another way about it and adds to the growing unlikeliness of seeing Paul in a Bucks uniform next season.