The 2022 NBA Trade Deadline is inching closer, and everyone wants to know what might be in store for the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. There has been little to no mention of the Bucks in the rumor mill, leaving fans in the dark regarding what they might be planning. As we wait and see, we rounded together the Behind the Buck Pass crew to discuss all things Bucks and the trade deadline.
If any, what is one area you would like to see the Milwaukee Bucks address at the 2022 NBA trade deadline and why?
Dalton Sell (@sell_dalton): The obvious answer to this one is the center position, and rightfully so. The Bucks have been downright depleted at center this season with Brook Lopez missing time and the team’s decision to release DeMarcus Cousins after a solid 17-game stint. While they should be in the market for more size, another position that should be of interest is the backup point guard. George Hill has failed to live up to expectations throughout his second stint in Milwaukee, and his struggles have been concerning. It seems unlikely that they would be willing to deal the guard for a second time, but if it means getting an upgrade to lead the bench, it is worth considering. Still, a backup center or sturdy forward would help tremendously.
Bradshaw Furlong (@omgbradshaw): There’s been a lot of talk about center or backup point guard being the biggest need for the Bucks, but I think filling that “P.J. Tucker, big wing defender” type would be what I want to see them address most. They have a few quality wing defenders already off their bench (Wesley Matthews, Pat Connaughton) but getting someone who can unlock their Giannis-at-center lineups is at the top of my wishlist.
Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA): I’d like to see Milwaukee trade for a backup big or a versatile wing that can be effective on both ends of the floor. The Bucks can already feel the missing impact of DeMarcus Cousins, who was waived prior to his guaranteed contract date a few weeks ago, so acquiring someone that can fit that role of an effective big that will bolster the playoff rotation would be an ideal move. Additionally, we still don’t know the extent of Brook Lopez’s injury or when exactly he’ll be back. The Bucks have kept his rehab from back surgery somewhat private, and if he’s unable to come back this season, it makes it even more essential to complete a deal for another trustworthy forward or center. Another option would be a versatile wing that can defend multiple positions and shoot at an efficient rate to give the Bucks more flexible rotation options, especially when they’re switching defensively.
Michael Wood (@wood4_michael): In general, the bench. Any bench help. With Pat Connaughton being in a slump since Covid, the Bucks have no shooting coming off the bench (since Jordan Nwora for some reason does not play.) However, the biggest problem and the one area that has to be addressed: a big man. A power forward or center in order to rebound. With big man Bobby Portis in the starting lineup because of the year long injury to Brook Lopez, the Bucks have no offensive boost off the bench either. The Bucks literally do not have a backup on bench after the release of Demarcus Cousins (a decision I still disagree with).
Jake Maier (@jakejmaier): I think the most important position to fill right now is the center position. With Brook Lopez’s absence, the rim protection has dropped. Lineups with Giannis at the five is effective, but it won’t be sustainable for a considerable amount of time on a game-per-game basis. If the Bucks are able to find a solid center for the time being, they will be able to take a big step forward in their rim protection. An honorable mention would be another guard. George Hill hasn’t been as reliable as fans were hoping this season, so another piece to add depth at guard would be valuable.
Adam Zippan (@azip70): Two areas of need for the Bucks at the trade deadline are a backup center and backup ball handling point guard. With Brook Lopez out until at least March, the Bucks have no real true backup center who can protect the rim. Waiving DeMarcus Cousins from a scoring and rebounding perspective off the bench has really left the Bucks thin at the 5 spot. The Bucks can also use a backup PG, as they need another ball handler for when Holiday and Hill are not on the court. They can’t rely on Middleton and Giannis brining up the ball on such possessions, as sometimes they are prone to turnovers with sloppy, careless and lazy turnovers and passes. Trey Burke comes to mine as he can also provide a scoring punch off the bench, as George Hill is having a down year from a shooting % perspective.
Lucas Valind (@reallucaso345): One area that I would like to see the Bucks address at the deadline is their backup point guard position. While I see that George Hill for some odd reason has ridiculous +/- stats, it doesn’t seem like he actually has done all too much to help the team this season. I currently do not see the team winning a championship if George Hill is the plan to back up Jrue Holiday. Unless they plan on using DiVincenzo at the 1 instead of the 2, there really isn’t an in-house solution, and even that solution sounds like a terrible idea. Even if Horst isn’t able to make a trade for a PG happen, there should be some good options on the buyout market, hopefully better than Jeff Teague from last season.
Tyler Schickert (@tschicket13): I want to see the Bucks address rim protection, the Bucks are missing Brook Lopez. Bobby Portis has taken a step forward defensively but is still not a shot blocker. During the Hawks and both Hornets losses guys like Trae Young and LaMelo Ball were getting easy floaters, the Bucks need a guy to contest those looks.
If any, who is one player you would like to see the Milwaukee Bucks target at the 2022 NBA trade deadline, and why?
Sell: If you know me, you know I have been a huge advocate for Dennis Schröder with rumors that the Boston Celtics could look to trade him. Yet, after watching the Bucks lately, I think adding more depth in the frontcourt should be the Bucks’ biggest concern right now. The top target that makes sense for the defending champions is Dorian Finney-Smith of the Dallas Mavericks. The 6-foot-7 versatile forward would bring some size to the bench, along with robust defense and solid scoring. It remains up in the air if Dallas would be willing to move him, but if so, the Bucks should be on the case. If the Mavericks want to keep him, someone like Nicolas Batum of the LA Clippers would fit the billing in a similar light and could be more attainable.
Furlong: Sticking with the idea of getting a bigger wing defender, I’d like to see the Bucks go after San Antonio Spurs veteran Thad Young. He’s not playing a lot for a team that is focused on playing younger players but still has game left (despite what his season averages would suggest this year). The one hang up for the Bucks is that Young has a nearly $15 million cap hit this season. Perhaps this would be a buyout market move, but he’s the player I’d like to see them come away with most.
Weinbach: The Bucks should target Justin Holiday of the Indiana Pacers since he’s likely available, affordable, an efficient 3-point shooter, and a versatile wing that can defend pretty much any position. Of course, he’s also the older brother of Jrue Holiday. As the Pacers are expected to retool the roster and become sellers at the deadline, Justin Holiday should become available at the right price. Offering Donte DiVincenzo and Semi Ojeleye could get the deal done, and a second round pick could potentially be added to satisfy Indiana. Holiday is making $6.0 million this season, and is on contract to make $6.2 million next season. The Bucks are deep into the luxury tax, but Holiday has an affordable contract that they can afford to acquire.
Wood: Who is one player you would like to see the Milwaukee Bucks target at the deadline? Mo Bamba from the Orlando Magic. You could plug him into the starting lineup and Portis could go back to the bench – which would help that unit – and the Bucks would be back in business. Even if he comes off the bench, he would allow Portis and Antetokounmpo more rest in the second half of the season. Bamba would provide much needed rebounding depth for the Bucks.
Maier: One player I’d like to see the Bucks target at the deadline is Mo Bamba. Coming off a brilliant performance against the Sixers where he notched 28 points in the first half, his trade stock might have risen up a bit. However, if Milwaukee is able to make an enticing offer, Bamba would be an excellent addition to the frontcourt. Bamba will be an excellent short-term replacement while we await Lopez’s return. After that, Bamba will fit seamlessly into Milwaukee’s second unit. This seems like a very low-risk trade for the Bucks and I think it’s one that Horst should pursue.
Zippan: Mo Bamba would be an ideal trade target to protect the rim. He’s young, athletic, can rebound, block shots and shoot the 3 ball well for a big man. His youth and athleticism would be a major boost for the Bucks at the 5 spot.
Valind: One player I would like to see the Bucks target at the deadline is Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton is barely getting started in the league and would add some youth to the Bucks team. He’s also been a good shooter early on in his career, with a career 3-point percentage of 41.7% over his two seasons. The Bucks have done a great job in the last couple of years finding shooters to play along with Giannis and Haliburton would just be another great addition for the team. Plus, Haliburton is from Wisconsin and would probably love to play for his hometown team. The only problem with getting Haliburton is that the rumors surrounding him have been all over the place. Who knows if the Kings will actually give him up or not and for what cost.
Schickert: A guy I’d like to see the Bucks get is Myles Turner, however I’m not 100% sure that’s in the cards. A guy I feel is a more realistic target is Nerlens Noel, he makes about half the money Turner does and while his offensive impact would be felt as much his defensive and rebounding impact would be very helpful, Noel averages 9.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per 36 minutes.
If any, who is one player on the Milwaukee Bucks you think could/should be dealt by the 2022 NBA trade deadline, and why?
Sell: The clear-cut answer is Donte DiVincenzo. The Bucks made it abundantly clear that they will almost certainly not be bringing him back next season after they handed Grayson Allen a lucrative extension before the season. With DiVincenzo set to hit restricted free agency once the season is over, his future in Milwaukee is likely running out. With players like Allen, Pat Connaughton, and Wesley Matthews all playing key roles for the Bucks at a similar position, they would be wise to check DiVincenzo’s value around the league to see if he could be dealt to add assistance at a place of need. Despite his struggles coming off his second season-ending surgery in three years, there could be some value in the 25-year-old across the NBA.
Furlong: I don’t necessarily think they should move Donte DiVincenzo, but it seems pretty clear that he’s the best player who could be moved. They nearly moved him once before for someone that they believed made their roster better and it could certainly happen once again. He’s struggled quite a bit since returning so far, but teams acquiring him will hope he could return to his form from last season and perhaps even improve.
Weinbach: Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye should be moved by the deadline since they shouldn’t be in the playoff rotation for the Bucks. Maybe they’ll pursue cash considerations again? Donte DiVincenzo is the most valuable asset that the Bucks have, but he’ll be a restricted free agent this offseason. It seems unlikely that DiVincenzo will be a Buck past this season after Grayson Allen was given a two-year, $20 million extension, so he could easily be expendable. However, Donte should only be offloaded in a deal for someone that will be in Milwaukee’s playoff rotation without a doubt while not being on an expiring contract.
Wood: How many can I name? Let’s just say Jon Horst did not have a good offseason. Besides the PJ Tucker nonsigning, he signed Semi Ojeleye as a poor man replacement. Ojeleye sits at the end of the bench every night. The hope for a Rodney Hood redemption season did not come to pass either (mildly surprising to me; I was on the Hood bandwagon in the preseason). Finally, Donte Divincenzo is not the player he was before his injury. In fact, I am confused as to why he even is playing. The only logical reason is the team is hoping he can play well to up his trade value. He is the only asset they have, if he still is an asset, so I presume he will be moved. But the other two guys SHOULD be moved…or even just released.
Maier: Two clear options for players to move at the deadline are Donte DiVincenzo and Jordan Nwora. Donte has been inconsistent upon his return to the team. There is plenty of room to grow in Donte’s future, but he may benefit from a change of scenery. Donte is a valuable asset off the bench and could start for a majority of teams. I could definitely see Donte being the most desirable asset if the Bucks are looking to make a trade. As for Nwora, he will likely be a filler piece if the Bucks were to go for a bigger name such as Myles Turner. Nwora has certainly had success, but if the Bucks are looking to bolster their frontcourt, Nwora may be a filler piece in a trade.
Zippan: I really feel as though the time has come to trade Donte DiVencenzo. Although his trade value has plummeted in limited action so far this year, he’s one of the only two assets on the roster. He’s still very young with plenty of upside. He has made one two point basket all season and still cannot finish at the rim. He’s really struggling with his shot this year as well. On the other side of the ball, he’s still a very good rebounding guard and plays very good defense and still comes up with timely steals. At this point, a change of scenery would do him good. The Bucks can include him as part of a package to get an impact player in return for the playoff run.
Valind: One player on the Bucks that I think could be moved by the deadline is Jordan Nwora. My answer a couple of weeks ago would have been Donte DiVincenzo, but after seeing his recent play, he may not be the most attractive trade piece anymore. Nwora could be seen as an enticing piece in a trade package because of his potential as a scorer. Nwora has had nights where he looks like a guy that could be an incredible scorer and others where he looks like he belongs at the end of the Bucks bench. Nwora’s inconsistency this season has been very frustrating, considering the expectations that many Bucks fans had for him coming into the season. A team might think that they will be able to unlock Jordan Nwora as a consistently good scorer and take him in a package.
Schickert: I think the two guys most likely moved are Donte DiVincenzo and Jordan Nwora. Donte is struggling offensively and a team could be willing to give him a change of scenery to get his defense and hustle on their roster. Nwora is still a very raw prospect but has shown he can shoot, a rebuilding team could be willing to take him in as a spot up shooter.