Milwaukee Bucks: Dennis Schröder strikeout foreshadows lingering issue

Shortly after being dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers, reports indicate that the Milwaukee Bucks were involved in the Dennis Schröder sweepstakes.

As the NBA prepares to lift its moratorium on trades, many expect that the Milwaukee Bucks will be active in making some substantial moves.

However, they will have to cross one name off their wishlist right off the bat, that being Dennis Schröder, who is reportedly heading to the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite Schroder finishing second in the Sixth Man of the Year running this season, all Los Angeles traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 27-year-old was Danny Green and the No. 28 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.

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Schroder was a target that many Bucks fans had on their mind, and The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported shortly after news of the trade broke that Milwaukee was indeed aggressively pursuing the veteran guard over the last week:

"“Sources: The Bucks pursued a trade with the Thunder for Dennis Schroder and were deep in trade negotiations last week. Ultimately, the Lakers landed Schroder. Now the Bucks must move on to other targets. Eric Bledsoe remains the player Milwaukee is dangling most in trade talks.”"

For the Bucks, striking out on Schroder is a significant blow. As Milwaukee desperately scours the market for an upgrade in the backcourt, Schroder’s floor spacing and ball handling capabilities fit the bill for their needs. On top of that, he is on the books for just $15.5 million next season, which would have made him an easy acquisition for the Bucks financially.

After seeing the Lakers make the shrewd move for the now-former Oklahoma City Thunder guard, Bucks fans have to wonder what stopped them from pulling the trigger on such a deal.

The answer could very well be Eric Bledsoe, and missing out on Dennis Schroder could foreshadow the unfortunate reality ahead for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Bledsoe was likely the name that the Bucks put on the table when discussing Schroder, and his value is currently sitting at rock bottom. Bledsoe’s postseason shortcomings over the past three seasons have taken center stage and teams are clearly cautious of taking him on because of them.

Even with their No. 24 overall draft pick attached, trading Bledsoe is going to be a tall task for general manager Jon Horst and company. With three years and $54 million left on his current deal, though $38.9 million of it is currently guaranteed, teams are not going to be eager to absorb Eric Bledsoe’s hefty contract whatsoever. Especially as his yearly salary increases over the span of the deal.

Although O’Connor noted that he is the name they are trying the hardest to offload, that does not make moving him any easier. This theory about Bledsoe is nothing that was not already expected, however. Everyone knew the Bucks would have their hands full trying to move the guard, especially with reports surfacing shortly after the conclusion of their season that it was an “open secret” that they would look to trade him this offseason.

Although Schröder is off the market, the Milwaukee Bucks still have a handful of targets to pursue this offseason. All Bucks fans have their attention on how the organization will pivot to shore up their point guard depth and overall backcourt.