3 trade targets for Milwaukee Bucks to pursue after December 15

The Milwaukee Bucks could trade for Dennis Schröder after December 15

This one is bound to turn some heads, but Dennis Schröder would be a great trade target for the Bucks with the latest news out of Boston. The Atheltic’s Shams Charania (subscription required) reported Monday that rival teams believe the Boston Celtics could be open to dealing the guard once he becomes trade eligible. If so, the Bucks must make that phone call to try and strike a deal.

Schröder is having a great season with the Celtics by averaging 17.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game as he is splitting time between the starting lineup and the bench. The Bucks have struggled with their second unit production this season, ranking 27th in points and 30th in assists. While George Hill has been solid as the backup point guard behind Jrue Holiday, adding Schröder to take his place would be a massive upgrade on impact to improve those points and assist numbers.

The Bucks are already on the record having a previous interest in acquiring Schröder before they traded for Holiday before the 2020-21 season. The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor previously reported that the Bucks were in deep negotiations with the Thunder to acquire the guard before he was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers. The interest was reasonable then, and it is still reasonable now. Trading for Schröder would also reunite the guard with Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, whom he played under with the Atlanta Hawks several years ago, making this move more feasible.

Schröder took a massive pay cut in free agency this past offseason as he signed with Boston on a one-year deal worth $5.9 million. Given his production this season, that is a steal. That number is reasonable for a Bucks team when trying to piece together a trade package, and although the rival Celtics might be hesitant to send him to another Eastern Conference contender, that should not stop the Bucks from trying.

Time will tell just how active the Bucks will be once December 15 passes, but any of these three targets could be a significant addition in their chase for a championship.