Milwaukee Bucks: 3 too early predictions for 2022 NBA Trade Deadline

The 2022 NBA Trade Deadline is still several months down the road, but it is never too early to begin brainstorming how the Milwaukee Bucks might approach it.

For a team that has been competing amongst the elite over the past few seasons, they have been active in bringing in reinforcements to help their pursuit of a title. Jon Horst, the general manager, has always shared an aggressive mindset when it comes to improving the roster, which is exactly what he did when he swung a trade for P.J. Tucker before the deadline last year. Safe to say that he struck gold with that one. Although it might be too early for there to be any Tucker-Esque targets for the Bucks to start monitoring, it is interesting to think about where this team could be in just a few short months and the approach they might take at the deadline.

With little spending money and a depleted asset assemblage, the Bucks are not likely to make any massive moves, obviously. However, as evidenced by the deal for Tucker, one great move can be the difference-maker for a title contender. As the Bucks have some holes and question marks on their roster, let us take a look ahead and see how they might address these issues by February.

Jordan Nwora will receive a significant amount of interest from opposing teams, but the Milwaukee Bucks will not deal him

After hardly getting off the bench during his rookie season, Jordan Nwora was viewed as a likely breakout candidate for the Bucks in 2021-22. The forward seemed destined to take a leap with more playing time, and the team has given him that opportunity early on. While he has been hot and cold to start the season, opposing teams are likely keeping a close eye on him.

Appearing in all 10 games for Milwaukee this year, Nwora has produced solid numbers by putting up 9.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. He is still looking to find consistency on the offensive end as his shooting splits are a lackluster .374/.333/.778, but that should only improve over time. Currently playing 21.9 minutes per contest for the Bucks, the forward is seeing a larger role for Milwaukee, and everyone is getting a closer look at him.

The interest in Nwora from teams across the league would surely be justifiable. At 23-years-old, his best basketball is still ahead of him, and the forward has shown glimpses of potential that he can be a lethal scorer in this league. The Bucks have provided him with more playing time early in the season, but due to their heavy reliance on veterans, the forward could see his role slim down as the season progresses, particularly into the playoffs. A different team, perhaps one that is keen on developing their youth, would undeniably like to get their hands on Nwora to give him a chance to shine nightly.

Teams will come calling about Nwora’s availability, but the Bucks will ultimately keep him around in Milwaukee. Trading him midway through the season would make little sense, given that he has a salary too small to make a massive difference when piecing together a package. The Bucks also have no real incentive in trading away one of their promising young players. Although Nwora’s play has been hit or miss, there is no questioning that he has all the tools to be special, and having that type of player on an affordable contract is huge for a financially limited team like the Bucks.

Nwora’s name will surface in trade rumors down the road, but do not expect the Bucks to make a deal to send him elsewhere.