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Milwaukee Bucks Rumors: “Pursuing” Robert Covington, P.J. Tucker in a trade

By Jordan Treske

HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 09: Robert Covington #33 of the Houston Rockets congratulates P.J. Tucker #17 after a three point basket in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center on February 09, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 09: Robert Covington #33 of the Houston Rockets congratulates P.J. Tucker #17 after a three point basket in the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Toyota Center on February 09, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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A report from The Ringer relays that the Milwaukee Bucks are “pursuing” both Robert Covington and P.J. Tucker from the Houston Rockets.

If you’re having a tough time trying to keep track of all the rumors surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks, I don’t blame you.

The Bucks have been consistently linked to multiple trade candidates as the NBA hot stove has heated up with the start of the offseason nearly here and this year’s NBA Draft taking place next Wednesday. Now we add two more candidates to the mix that come from the Western Conference.

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According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Bucks are in pursuit of both Robert Covington and P.J Tucker of the Houston Rockets, along with Patty Mills of the San Antonio Spurs:

"“Multiple league sources say the Bucks are active in trade discussions; they’re looking to move on from Eric Bledsoe, and have offered him to several teams. They’re also in pursuit of Rockets forwards Robert Covington and P.J. Tucker; Houston doesn’t have a pick in this draft and is moving toward a retooling period with Russell Westbrook wanting out.”"

I touched on the Mills rumor here and there are clearly benefits to adding a veteran point guard that brings high-level shooting to the mix. But arguably, the meatier reporting here is the Bucks pursuing both Covington and Tucker, especially within the context that O’Connor spelled out in his reporting.

To say the Rockets are in a state of disrepair would be quite an understatement. This comes on the heels of All-NBA guard Russell Westbrook asking out of Houston as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Wednesday night.

Both Robert Covington and P.J Tucker bring the shooting and defensive versatility that the Milwaukee Bucks have highly coveted in recent seasons.

To what extent the Rockets go through with dismantling their core, on top of the changes they’ve experienced this offseason, remains to be seen. And they’re an even bigger bind as to which direction they go in for the reasons listed above.

Tucker is among the players in discontent with the state of the franchise, along with Westbrook. As Kelly Iko of The Athletic ($$) reported last night, Tucker has been “irate” over his contract situation as he’s heading into the final year of his four-year, $32 million contract.

Seeking a raise as his value to the team has never been higher as he’s essentially played as their small-ball center, Tucker is at the heart and soul of what the Rockets do defensively, even as he’s entering his age-35 season.

So is Covington, whom the Rockets acquired in a massive four-team deal ahead of last season’s NBA trade deadline. Covington’s 3-and-D services formed the switching, ultra mobile frontcourt that the Rockets coveted in their small ball experiment.

Of the two, Covington is the more appealing of the two, given his age (about to turn 30 years old) and he’s under contract for two more seasons at $12.1 million for 2020-21 and $12.9 million for 2021-22.

With that said, for as great as they are defensively, both Covington and Tucker are just passable 3-point shooters. Covington finished last season shooting 33.5 percent from three between his time in Minnesota and Houston while Tucker hit 35.8 percent from that level of the floor last season.

The Bucks are short on quality forward depth behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton and are surely looking to find a backup 4 in light of Marvin Williams retiring at the end of the Bucks’ run last season.

Next. What is the value of the 24th overall pick?. dark

Whether Covington and Tucker will eventually be Milwaukee bound remains to be seen, but there are no shortage of directions the Bucks are looking to address their roster this offseason. Stay tuned for any further rumors here at BTBP.

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