Milwaukee Bucks: 3 biggest hurdles in potentially replacing Eric Bledsoe – What upgrades are out there?
This isn’t specifically a Bledsoe-centric hurdle as it is more general to something the Bucks have to consider in this unique NBA offseason.
There have been no bones about where and what the Bucks have been looking for this offseason, especially if it comes at the cost of losing Bledsoe and whatever players and assets necessary to get a deal done. And without disrupting their foundation too much, reshaping their backcourt and/or finding another lead ball handler is atop of that wish list.
But what the Bucks wish isn’t so easy to grant as we’re seeing how the trade market may unfold in such a compact offseason this year.
Even as all NBA teams are limited in making any transactions with a moratorium reportedly set to be lifted November 16 as The Athletic’s Shams Charania ($$) noted Thursday night, there is a lot of demand and not that big of a supply for guards on the move. Players like Jrue Holiday, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose and Dennis Schröder come to mind as far as potential traditional point guard upgrades go.
But those four in particular have and will continue to field plenty of interest from a whole slew of contending to competitive teams throughout the league. For the Bucks, what assets and pieces set them apart in being to add the upgrade they desire?
As far Bledsoe’s trade value is considered, ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported earlier in the week that the 30-year-old’s trade value has predictably cratered. That’s certainly one piece that won’t fetch the kind of top-line playmaker they may need to contend for next year’s NBA title amid all of the uncertainty surrounding Antetokounmpo.
There are plenty as to how the Bucks will go about addressing the needs they need to shore up to put their latest playoff disappointment behind them. If it spells the end of the Bledsoe era, so be it. But there are challenges that lie ahead in being able to fill his void and the mark he made within the Bucks’ roster, should his exit come to pass.