Milwaukee Bucks: 3 potential Eric Bledsoe trade scenarios
By Dalton Sell
Trade speculation surrounding Eric Bledsoe is through the roof right now as the Milwaukee Bucks will likely move on from him in the coming weeks.
After spending three seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, it appears all but certain that Eric Bledsoe will be on the move this offseason.
The guard’s shortcomings in the postseason have been an apparent factor in derailing Milwaukee’s recent title hopes, and the team will not hesitate to find a replacement. The NBA trade machine has been getting a fair amount of use from Bucks fans trying to piece together some enticing packages for the guard and Milwaukee certainly has some options.
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As destined as it seems that Bledsoe has likely played his last game with the Bucks, trading him will be no easy task. ESPN’s Zach Lowe recently released an offseason preview piece, where he detailed the not so shocking revelation that Bledsoe’s trade value “has cratered.”
With his postseason imperfections and $38.9 million owed to him over the next three seasons at minimum, teams are not going to see the 30-year-old as the most desirable trade target. While it will be challenging to pull off, here are three potential Eric Bledsoe trade scenarios for the Milwaukee Bucks to entertain this offseason.
Milwaukee Bucks: 3 potential Eric Bledsoe trade scenarios – No. 1, Bucks make a move for Jrue Holiday
There will be a slew of contending teams looking to pry Jrue Holiday away from the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason. With The Athletic’s Shams Charania reporting that the team is active in conversations surrounding the one-time All-Star, Holiday could be the missing piece for a handful of franchises, the Bucks being no exception.
In this proposed trade, the Bucks get a surefire upgrade in the backcourt in Jrue Holiday, dishing out some rotational pieces in the process. Holiday’s contract situation is something to monitor here, as the guard is on the books for $25.4 million next season and has a $26.3 million player option the following.
After next season, the 30-year-old could decline that option to seek another long-term deal or ponder an extension this offseason. That is just something to keep in mind for teams looking to pull off a trade involving Holiday. For the Bucks, a move like this would unquestionably tip the needle in the right direction heading into next season.
As for New Orleans, Milwaukee’s package is not as strong as what other organizations could put together, but there are a few interesting aspects.
Bledsoe has the same amount of All-Defensive honors as Holiday, both with two, so bringing in another defensive-minded guard for the 21st-ranked defense this season could be compelling. The same goes for Donte DiVincenzo, who led the Bucks in steals this season at 1.3 per game. Ersan Ilyasova is a savvy veteran that brings experience to the table, and New Orleans adds another first round draft selection to their asset pile.
With the Holiday sweepstakes set to heat up in the coming days, the Bucks should prepare an offer for the New Orleans Pelicans.