Milwaukee Bucks 2020 NBA Draft: Team trades for No. 45 pick from Orlando Magic

The Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly acquired the No. 45 pick ahead of the 2020 NAB Draft Wednesday night, giving them two second rounders as of now.

In what has been an eventful week for the Milwaukee Bucks, the team has made another trade just hours before the 2020 NBA Draft is scheduled to kick off.

First reported by The Athletic’s Josh Robbins, the Bucks and the Orlando Magic agreed on a deal that would send tonight’s No. 45 selection into Milwaukee’s possession in exchange for two future second round picks.

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The specifics of those picks soon followed, which include a second round pick owed to the Bucks via the Indiana Pacers in either 2022, 2023, or 2024, along with Milwaukee’s second rounder in 2026.

Although the team does not have a first round selection, as they sent the No. 24 overall pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in the deal for Jrue Holiday, they reportedly did get back the 60th pick in the second round.

Now there is some question as to whether the Bucks do hold the 42nd pick as The Athletic’s Eric Nehm reported Tuesday. To this point, that hasn’t been confirmed by other outlets.

While this trade is rather lacking on the surface compared to what fans are accustomed to over the past several days, one must wonder what the Bucks’ motivation was swinging a deal for another second round selection.

What might the Milwaukee Bucks have in store in tonight’s NBA Draft with three total second round picks?

Following the aftermath of an eventful Monday night, this move should not come as much of a surprise. In trading for Holiday, Milwaukee sent out three future first-rounders, and the rights to swap picks, as well as Eric Bledsoe and George Hill. In the sign-and-trade deal for Bogdan Bogdanovic, they gutted more of their depth, having shipped out D.J. Wilson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Ersan Ilyasova.

With just seven players currently under contract for next season, the Bucks have to fill out their roster, and three second round selections could be a viable way of adding a few more players. These contracts come cheap and now facing the hard cap, which is set at $138.9 million, the slew of moves give the Bucks some financial flexibility as they look to fill some vacancies ahead of free agency, set to begin this coming Friday.

While this trade might not be as exciting as landing, say, Jrue Holiday or Bogdan Bogdanovic, it will still be compelling to see what the Bucks have up their sleeve tonight. Only time will tell what the Bucks have in store, but with this move coming just hours ahead of the NBA Draft, the front office continues to be aggressive this offseason.

With a roster that’s completely wide open, save for at the top of the depth chart, the Bucks can go in a number of different directions with their second rounders.