With the 2022 NBA trade deadline less than a month away, fans have fired up the trade machine to try and find ways to help the Milwaukee Bucks improve their roster. While a new backup point guard would certainly be nice, one area that clearly needs tending to is the frontcourt, where the defending champs have been decimated this season, particularly down low.
These issues stem from the absence of Brook Lopez, Milwaukee’s usual starting center. Lopez has missed every game aside from the season opener this year due to back soreness, which persisted enough that he underwent a procedure back in early December. The Bucks are holding out hope he will be cleared to return at some point down the line this season, but it is hard to speculate when it comes to back injuries, particularly with 7-foot, 282lb centers.
How the Milwaukee Bucks have survived without Brook Lopez this season and what their next steps might be
The Bucks are quite lucky that Bobby Portis has embraced this city and the fanbase so dearly that he was willing to take another pay cut to return this season. The big man has assumed duties as a full-time starter in Lopez’s absence, having played the best basketball of his career to this point as he has been a lifeline for the champs.
With Portis in the starting lineup, the Bucks made the wise decision to sign DeMarcus Cousins off the free agent market to replace him as the backup. Cousins played great for Milwaukee during his 17-game stay, but when it came time to decide whether or not to guarantee his contract, the front office shockingly waived the big man, which caused immediate controversy. Since then, the bench has clearly suffered from a lack of size, as rookie Sandro Mamukelashvili has seen a more sizeable opportunity, and he is not ready to be a consistent rotational player.
If these frontcourt issues persist, the Bucks should be in the market for some size before the trade deadline next month. With all that being said, let us look at three possible targets that they should make a run at before February 10.
Trade targets for Milwaukee Bucks’ frontcourt – Dorian Finney-Smith
Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer is known for his creativity with lineups, and one player that would bring versatility to the table is Dorian Finney-Smith. The 6-foot-7 Finney-Smith can play either forward position at a high level and could provide solid two-way play off the bench.
The fifth-year veteran is having a career year with the Dallas Mavericks this season by averaging 10.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per contest. Finney-Smith has been solid in all aspects this season, but his 3-point shooting has turned some heads as he is currently hitting 38 percent of his triples on a career-high 5.1 attempts per game. In addition to his defense, great shooting like that would make Finney-Smith an easy fit with the Bucks on both ends.
Given the forward’s strong play this season, some have questioned if the Mavericks would even consider trading him. After all, Finney-Smith has one of the best value deals in the NBA as he is making a mere $4 million this season. However, as noted by HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, there is significant interest in Finney-Smith from opposing teams, and rival execs believe this could be an “opportunity to pounce” before he hits free agency this offseason. If so, the Bucks should have an interest in pursuing his services, as he would be a seamless fit off the bench.
Trade targets for Milwaukee Bucks’ frontcourt – Mohamed Bamba
Despite Milwaukee’s rumored optimism that Lopez could return this season, adding a center as an insurance policy would not be the worst idea in the world. If so, one of the best targets for them to chase would be Mohamed Bamba, the 23-year-old center for the Orlando Magic.
After struggling to find his footing throughout his first three seasons in the league, Bamba has had a career-reviving fourth year as he is currently averaging 10.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. A significant portion of this production could be attributed to his opportunity as Bamba has finally been given a key role in the rotation, and he has caught some eyes in the process. Not only can he score the basketball at a decent level, but Bamba has quietly turned into a formidable shot-blocker as he is sixth in the league in total blocks this season with 66.
Bamba’s hypothetical fit with the Bucks is easy to understand. He would provide rim protection on the defensive end that the champs have lacked without Lopez this season, along with a knack for rebounding the basketball. Scouring the market for potential targets to give the Bucks another big man, there are few better options out there than Bamba. The biggest question is whether Orlando would be willing to part ways with the center before he hits restricted free agency this offseason.
With Bamba’s $7.6 million contract this season, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley proposed a deal recently that would see the Bucks send Donte DiVincenzo and Semi Ojelye to the Magic for him. That would be a no-brainer for Milwaukee, given the amount of talent they have at DiVincenzo’s position and how poorly Ojeleye has performed this year. Bleacher Report’s Jake L. Fischer noted on Thursday that the Magic are reportedly seeking a first round pick for Bamba. Although that may complicate things for the Bucks, he followed that up by saying that the price may drop down to two second rounders, which would be more doable for Milwaukee.
Trade targets for Milwaukee Bucks’ frontcourt – Serge Ibaka
This last one could turn some heads, but the latest developments out of Los Angeles could make Serge Ibaka a viable trade target for the Bucks. According to Bleacher Report’s Jake L. Fischer, the LA Clippers moving Ibaka before the trade deadline appears like a feasible move because it would save them a significant chunk of change in luxury tax fees. If so, the Bucks should kick the tires on what it might take to acquire him in a potential deal.
Although he has been hindered by a neck injury over the past two seasons, Ibaka is still someone that could elevate Milwaukee’s bench when healthy. The three-time All-Defensive honoree and two-time Block Champion has always been a threatening defender for opponents. Adding him to the bench would give Budenholzer another versatile piece to utilize defensively alongside others such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and more. Ibaka is also no slouch offensively as he has averaged 12.3 points per game and shot a respectable 35.9 percent from three in his career.
On the books for $9.7 million this season, Ibaka is not the easiest target for the Bucks to acquire from a financial perspective, but it is possible. If so, adding him would be a tremendous boost to a second unit that desperately needs some reinforcements right now.
Stay tuned for any updates on the champs leading up to the 2022 NBA trade deadline.