Despite standing on the sidelines during Thursday’s trade deadline frenzy, the Milwaukee Bucks might not be done reshaping their roster just yet.
The belief from the beginning was that the Bucks would defer to the buyout market to bolster their roster rather than trades due to their depleted asset assemblage. With several household names from a variety of teams likely heading towards contract buyouts over the next few days, the front office will certainly look to bring in some reinforcements.
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The Bucks freed up a pair of roster spots following their recent trade with the Houston Rockets involving P.J. Tucker, along with some financial leeway to bring more rotational pieces into the fold.
The previous buyout targets piece for the Bucks was shaken up drastically following Thursday’s deadline full of dealings, leaving it in need of an update. Despite the changes, Milwaukee’s most apparent need right now remains adding another guard sooner rather than later.
Trading away former backup D.J. Augustin in the Tucker package has left the team short at the position, and the buyout market presents them the perfect opportunity to resolve the issue. Strictly looking at guards, here are three potential buyout targets that the Milwaukee Bucks should make a run at if they become available.
First potential buyout target for the Milwaukee Bucks — Austin Rivers
The most prominent name that has been linked to the Bucks within the past week has been Austin Rivers, and those discussions should only heat up with the buyout market in full effect.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe ($$) previously listed the Bucks as a potential suitor for the guard if he were to hit the buyout market. Despite being traded from the New York Knicks to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a three-team deal with the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday, Rivers remains a feasible option for Milwaukee to monitor.
The Thunder could certainly still grant Rivers a buyout to hit the open market if he is looking to take his talents to a contending team. Milwaukee fits the bill as a potential destination that could immediately use his services off the bench. If there is mutual interest between the two sides, this would be a no-brainer for the Bucks.
They need to add a ball handler in the second unit, and Rivers could very well be the best potentially available target in the coming days to strengthen their bench. In 21 games with the Knicks this season, the guard averaged 7.3 points on a .430/.364/.714 slash line, 2.2 rebounds, and two assists per game.