Behind the Bucks Pass
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3 reasons why the Milwaukee Bucks should pursue a Justin Holiday trade

By Jake Weinbach

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 15: George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives around Justin Holiday #8 of the Indiana Pacers during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on December 15, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 15: George Hill #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives around Justin Holiday #8 of the Indiana Pacers during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on December 15, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks: Khris Middleton, Indiana Pacers: Justin Holiday
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 25 (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

No. 2 – Justin Holiday is affordable for the Milwaukee Bucks

With the Indiana Pacers reportedly heading toward a slim rebuild, they should be receptive of trade talks centered around their veteran players, including Justin Holiday. Holiday will most likely be available for the Milwaukee Bucks to pursue, and he’s also on an affordable contract.

Justin Holiday is owed $6 million this season and then guaranteed $6.2 million the following year. His contract is certainly gettable, so many contending teams should be interested in acquiring him such as the Bucks, Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies, and Chicago Bulls.

The Milwaukee Bucks are deep into the luxury tax, which limits their financial flexibility when searching for potential deals to complete, but Justin Holiday is one of the more realistic and affordable assets on the market that they can pursue.

An offer of guard Donte DiVincenzo and forward Semi Ojeleye could get a deal done, and the Bucks can include a second-round pick as well. Ojeleye would just serve as a salary filler with his $1.7 million expiring contract, but DiVincenzo would be the main asset attached to entice Indiana.

DiVincenzo will be a restricted free agent this offseason and it’s unlikely that Milwaukee will re-sign him after extending Grayson Allen to a two-year, up to $20 million contract, so trading him for another valuable rotation piece like Justin Holiday for at least one and a half seasons would be well worth it.

From the Pacers’ perspective, they could be intrigued by landing DiVincenzo and seeing how well the 25-year-old performs before making a decision on him in the offseason. They would hold his bird rights if acquired as well.

While Justin Holiday is an affordable and valuable target for the Milwaukee Bucks to pursue, a trade would also benefit the Indiana Pacers as they look to retool the roster.

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