Milwaukee Bucks: 3 teams to monitor leading up to 2020 NBA Draft night
As speculation surrounds the Milwaukee Bucks’ intentions with the 24th overall pick, we look at three opposing teams that could be of interest in a draft night trade.
The countdown is on for the 2020 NBA Draft and intrigue surrounds the Milwaukee Bucks as to whether they will remain in the draft.
Many critical questions surround the Bucks and how they will reload this offseason in light of their latest playoff disappointment. With limited assets in their possession, the 24th overall pick they own in this draft could be used as a way of luring a more immediate, veteran contributor to help them contend for an NBA title this season.
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Recent history shows us that the value of the 24th overall pick hasn’t netted the kind of upgrades that Bucks are wishing for at this moment. Still, that won’t stop the Bucks or opposing teams from potentially trying to facilitate a trade that would suit both parties.
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie ($$) made a note that the Bucks have unsurprisingly dangled their lone pick in this year’s draft in trade talks with immediate upgrades in mind, unsurprisingly.
So without further ado, let’s look at three teams that could be of interest to the Milwaukee Bucks in the event they trade the 24th overall pick.
Chicago Bulls
This may be out of left field, but the Chicago Bulls stand as something of a mystery going into draft night on Wednesday.
The Bulls obviously hold the fourth overall pick in the draft and what direction they go in is something of a question. Especially with a new front office in place with Arturas Karnisovas, the Bulls’ new vice president of basketball operations, and a new head coach in Billy Donovan.
Then there’s this report from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony ($$) from his latest mock draft that relays that the Bulls have been active in potential trade discussions for a veteran point guard. Could that just be Eric Bledsoe’s music?
Of course, what do the Bulls have in return that would make sense for the Bucks? There’s obviously the Bulls’ leading scorer in Zach LaVine, who matches well with Bledsoe’s salary at a flat $19.5 million and is under contract for the next two seasons at that number. Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo relayed that there is some speculation to LaVine’s availability from those around the league:
"“There’s some thought around the NBA that Zach LaVine could be had via trade as well, so his presence shouldn’t be an impediment.”"
But LaVine certainly doesn’t project to be a Bucks-like player by any means and his high-usage will certainly disrupt the Bucks’ hierarchy led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton. Then again, any move the Bucks make this offseason will do just that.
Go on down the Bulls’ roster and do high-priced veterans such as Tomas Satoransky and Thaddeus Young offer some interest to the Bucks? Those are two different types of players that are ancillary pieces that don’t fully address Milwaukee’s pressing needs this offseason.
Obviously, a lot of this is just thinking out loud and seeing what sticks, but if the Bulls have the appetite to take on someone like Bledsoe and his deal, along with draft compensation, perhaps that sparks up a conversation between the I-94 rivals.