Milwaukee Bucks: A realistic wish list for upcoming trade deadline

Third trade deadline wish for the Milwaukee Bucks — Trade for defensive help

Milwaukee’s interest in adding a defensive specialist ahead of the trade deadline has been an open secret for quite a while now.

After possessing the league’s best defense in the previous two seasons, the Bucks shockingly find themselves outside of the top 10 in team defensive rating this season. Despite having a slew of talented defenders, this team could benefit from adding another before the trade deadline to regain their typical form.

The most prominent name that continues surfacing in the discussion is P.J. Tucker, the veteran swingman from the Houston Rockets. Tucker would give Milwaukee a versatile piece off the bench that can defend multiple positions while simultaneously bolstering their frontcourt depth, making him an ideal all-around fit.

However, while salary issues and a lack of assets are the biggest issues in any trade between the Bucks and Houston, they are not the only team competing for his services. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania ($$), the Nets, Heat, Nuggets, and Lakers are also expressing interest in the defensive ace, and it is obvious that Milwaukee’s limited asset cabinet puts them at a big disadvantage compared to other teams.

If Tucker is out of the question, there are still other pieces that could be worth targeting for the Bucks. Getting another solid defender would be a great pickup for the Milwaukee Bucks, but time will tell if they can pull it off.