Milwaukee Bucks’ to-do list leading up to 2022 NBA trade deadline
By Dalton Sell
After a quiet regular season to this point, trade rumors are bound to start heating up over the next month before the 2022 NBA trade deadline. Included in the rumor frenzy should be the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks, who have had a turbulent regular season as they sit at fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 27-18 overall record.
As the Bucks prepare for their title defense, they would be wise to scour the trade market before the February 10 deadline arrives. Though health might be their most prominent issue, this roster has several holes that currently need patching. General manager Jon Horst has an opportunity to bolster his Executive of the Year case by improving the Bucks and bringing in more reinforcements as the deadline inches closer. With all that said, let us take a look at three objectives that should be on his to-do list.
Milwaukee Bucks’ 2022 NBA trade deadline to-do list: Explore options to bolster frontcourt depth
The Bucks have navigated through frontcourt issues all year due to Brook Lopez’s back soreness that currently has kept him sidelined in all but one game. While Bobby Portis has helped keep the champs afloat by filling in as a full-time starter alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks are lacking any other size down low whatsoever. They had a temporary answer in DeMarcus Cousins, who played well in his 17-game stint, but he is no longer in the picture after being waived due to financial reasons. With Antetokounmpo and Portis being Milwaukee’s only two reliable options to provide size, it would be wise for them to look around for potential targets.
Although the Bucks are limited financially and have little assets to work with, there are a handful of players that could help these issues on impact. Dorian Finney-Smith, Mohamed Bamba, and Serge Ibaka are all players that have been mentioned in the rumor mill lately that could be both affordable and impactful for the champs. If those targets are out of Milwaukee’s reach, they could pivot to more obtainable players. The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly called other franchises to assess the trade value of both Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan, according to B/R writer Jake Fischer. Both would be affordable and reasonable targets for the Bucks to tack on size.
Ultimately, the Bucks just need another big man, and they need it fast. This was clear in their most recent loss to the Toronto Raptors, where they gave up an astonishing 16 offensive boards. Teams are bound to continue taking advantage of Milwaukee’s current frontcourt predicament if they do not take action. Although there is rumored optimism within the organization that Lopez could get back on the court this season, that is pure speculation, and the Bucks need help now. Taking a flyer on a low-cost center or power forward would help tremendously.