Milwaukee Bucks: Better trade target, Nemanja Bjelica or P.J. Tucker?

The case for Nemanja Bjelica being the better trade target for the Milwaukee Bucks

While Tucker would provide a notable boost defensively for the Bucks, Nemanja Bjelica would have a solid impact offensively.

The Serbian swingman has been a relatively solid shooter throughout his six years in the league, connecting on 38.9 percent of 3.1 3-point attempts for his career. Standing at 6’10” with a shooting stroke from distance, Bjelica is an ideal stretch four for a team like Milwaukee looking for help in the frontcourt.

Although Milwaukee’s bench ranks second in the league in 3-point percentage at 40.8 percent this season, Bjelica could help improve their shooting further. For a team that has fully embraced a let it fly mentality from behind the arc, Bjelica would fit like a glove in the second unit alongside players like Bobby Portis and Bryn Forbes.

Despite the dynamic shooting, one downside that the forward brings to the table is his defensive shortcomings. The Bucks already have their issues defensively with backup big man Portis, and adding another subpar defender into the mix could be troublesome.

Furthermore, much like Tucker, Bjelica is not impressing this season either. Having only re-entered the rotation only very recently in Sacramento, the 32-year-old has appeared in just 19 games for an average of 18 minutes, averaging 8.5 points while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and just 33.3 percent from downtown.

Numbers like that do not exactly tip the needle for Milwaukee, particularly considering what they might have to give up to get him. Perhaps a change of scenery with a bigger role could help the veteran get back on the right track, but it is questionable whether it would be worth the gamble.