Milwaukee Bucks: A realistic wish list for upcoming trade deadline

The NBA’s March 25 trade deadline is swiftly approaching, and the Milwaukee Bucks could certainly use the opportunity to bring in some outside help.

Milwaukee stands nicely in the Eastern Conference’s third seed coming out of the All-Star break, but they could stand to make some improvements within the coming weeks. Any trades that the team does pursue will be hard to come by with the little assets and financial flexibility at their disposal, but a few minor moves could be impactful.

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The last two trade deadlines have been polar opposites for the Bucks, as they went all-in to acquire sharpshooter Nikola Mirotic from the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019 while electing to stand pat last season. Both moves backfired on the franchise, and one must wonder what their thinking is this time around as they finally try to overcome their postseason issues.

The NBA trading deadline is one of the most thrilling times of the year for fans, and it is shaping up to a special one this year. Whether or not the Milwaukee Bucks take part remains to be seen, but here are three things that should be on their wish list if so.

First trade deadline wish for the Milwaukee Bucks — Add perimeter shooting

The Bucks are always in the hunt for 3-point shooting, which will remain the case ahead of this month’s trade deadline.

Milwaukee boasts the current fourth-best shooting percentage from deep in the league at 39 percent, but it would not be surprising if they were in the market for more. This team flourishes off the success of their shooters, particularly becomes of the freedom it gives Giannis Antetokounmpo on the offensive end.

When it comes to potential trade targets, one simple fit that would make sense for the Bucks is Wayne Ellington of the Detroit Pistons. The veteran guard is knocking down his triples at a career-best rate this season, and he could be an under-the-radar addition to this Milwaukee bench if they were able to acquire him on an expiring contract.

With the Bucks embracing a let it fly mentality on offense, Ellington would fit like a glove in the lineup off the bench that is hitting their triples at a highly efficient rate. Milwaukee’s bench is connecting on 41.6 percent of their 3-pointers this season, which has provided a substantial boost on the offensive end. Adding another top-tier shooter into the mix would only increase that success further.