Milwaukee Bucks: 3 way-too-early big man trade candidates

3 way-too-early big man trade candidates for the Milwaukee Bucks: Veteran minimum centers

Listen, there aren’t a lot of realistic bigs out there that can help what the Bucks need, specifically in regards to rebounding. A lot of the options are either too expensive (Tristan Thompson, Daniel Theis, Kelly Olynyk), aren’t realistic because their team won’t trade them (Daniel Gafford, Naz Reid), or simply won’t help (Willie Cauley-Stein, Jaxson Hayes). We can’t rule out the buyout market too, of course.

However, when we turn to the big men that are signed to veteran minimum contracts (or close to it), there are a couple of interesting options that could become available for trade. Keep in mind, these are not sexy solutions by any means, but they’re cheap and could be had for very little (a highly protected second-round pick type of thing).

• Cody Zeller, Portland Trail Blazers
• Ed Davis, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Willy Hernangomez, New Orleans Pelicans
• Drew Eubanks, San Antonio Spurs

My favorite of the group is Zeller and I actually would have liked to see the Bucks scoop him up in free agency, especially for the veteran minimum contract that he signed. He’s a very useful big man, even more so for that cheap of a price and, as has been the theme so far, his teams do better rebounding the ball when he’s on the floor.

The only difference with Zeller is that his teams do significantly better on the offensive glass when he is on the floor. That was a strength of the Bucks during their title run and even if he keeps them around neutral on the defensive glass, grabbing a couple of extra possessions would be a massive help.

He’s not the sexiest option and if the Portland Trail Blazers remain in contention for a playoff or play-in spot, he may not become available. But I’m still holding out hope, dang it!

All of these are a long way away due to some trade restrictions, but it’s an early look at what could be available for the Milwaukee Bucks.