The 2022 NBA trade deadline is approaching, and the Milwaukee Bucks are bound to be active on the market before it arrives.
Led by general manager Jon Horst, this front office regime has always remained aggressive when seeking ways to improve the roster. Sometimes it works out well, such as last year’s acquisition of P.J. Tucker, while other times it backfires entirely, such as their trade for “sharpshooting” forward Nikola Mirotic during the 2018-19 season. For better or worse, although mostly better, the Bucks will always do their due diligence across the trade landscape.
The Bucks will be on the hunt for another Tucker-like acquisition that could help bolster their championship odds as they gear up for another title run. To make any trade possible, the Bucks will have to move some key players on the roster. With that said, let us take a look at a group of players they should look to move in potential trades before the February deadline.
The Milwaukee Bucks must trade Rodney Hood before 2022 NBA Trade Deadline
Potential is a word that often surfaced when the Bucks signed Rodney Hood in free agency this past offseason. There was potential – perhaps hopeful optimism – that the forward could bounce back with the champs after a handful of injuries had plagued him over the previous few seasons, having limited his overall productivity at the professional level. Ultimately, that hope has not quite come to fruition. In fact, it has been the complete opposite.
Hood is currently having his worst NBA season by averaging 3.5 points per game while shooting a grueling 35.4 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from three. Once known for his elite scoring ability, Hood has not helped much with Milwaukee’s bench production this season, as they rank a measly 27th in points per game at 28.6 on average. This second unit needs a big boost offensively, and it does not look like it will be coming from Hood anytime soon.
When the Bucks are fully-healthy, Hood will not be in the normal rotation. Wesley Matthews, who came aboard on a non-guaranteed deal recently, has outplayed him on both sides of the ball and has earned those minutes off the bench. Hood will not be viewed among Milwaukee’s top trade assets leading up to the deadline, and getting anything valuable for him alone will be a challenge, given his minimal $2.2 million salary this season. Nevertheless, the Bucks should attempt to move him rather than keep him on the bench and out of the rotation.
The Milwaukee Bucks must trade Semi Ojeleye before 2022 NBA Trade Deadline
Another free agent signing that had potential written on it was Semi Ojeleye. Known for his tough defense and a passable 3-point shot, those factors would be the blueprint for the forward to carve out a role for himself with the Bucks. Unfortunately, he has not managed to do either consistently with the team, and he too has fallen out of the rotation because of it. He did not even receive any time in Wednesday’s loss against the Toronto Raptors despite the Bucks being down several key players.
It has been a tough year for Ojeleye all-around, as he has already missed considerable time with a calf injury and a stint in the health and safety protocols. Both of those factors could certainly have taken a toll on him as he has had his troubles staying on the floor with consistency. When he has played, Ojeleye has struggled mightily as he is averaging 3.2 points on an abysmal 22.2 percent field goal shooting and 21.6 percent 3-point shooting. The Bucks never expected Ojeleye to be a difference-maker offensively, but these numbers make him a liability on that end. Ojeleye has not impressed enough defensively to justify his sluggish play offensively either.
Considering Ojeleye’s playing time is already minimal, the Bucks will have very little use for him once the rotation is back to full strength. Teams will not likely view him as a coveted trade target, given his lackluster play in Milwaukee this season. Like Hood, Ojeleye’s minimum deal makes him hard to trade by himself, but perhaps he could be part of a bigger package as salary filler.
The Milwaukee Bucks must trade Jordan Nwora OR Donte DiVincenzo before 2022 NBA Trade Deadline
Milwaukee’s two most desirable trade assets leading up to the deadline are Jordan Nwora and Donte DiVincenzo. Both are fairly young, are still on affordable deals, and have an ample amount of untapped potential waiting to be unearthed. The interest in these two will be prominent, which could make the Bucks consider moving one or possibly even both if the opportunity presents itself.
Nwora’s playing time throughout his sophomore season with the Bucks has been inconsistent as possible. When the team is mostly healthy, he does not receive many minutes. However, with the Bucks banged up lately, he has taken full advantage of the opportunity by averaging 17.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists over his last seven appearances. Teams across the NBA, particularly ones prioritizing building for the long-term future, have to be intrigued seeing numbers like that from a 23-year-old. If the Bucks could get a piece to help them win now, they could move Nwora rather than keep him at the end of the bench.
DiVincenzo also finds himself in a difficult position. The Bucks have shown a willingness to trade the guard previously, and with Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton playing the best basketball in their careers, DiVincenzo may become expendable once again. That is only heightened by the fact that the guard will be a restricted agent after the season, and the writing was on the wall when the team handed Allen an extension before the year that DiVincenzo might not be back. If the Bucks can add a household piece to help improve their championship odds and they are forced to move DiVincenzo, they will likely consider it.
When healthy, the rotation is too crowded for these two to see significant minutes, but other teams could offer more playing time and a more prominent role.
Only time will tell, but it would not be surprising if any of these Bucks got traded.