Assessing The Athletic’s 2022 buyout targets for the Milwaukee Bucks
By Dalton Sell
The 2022 NBA trade deadline is right around the corner, and everyone wants to know what the Milwaukee Bucks might have in store.
Right now, it looks like it might be a quiet deadline for the Bucks as there have been little to no rumors involving the champs to this point. While they could be working behind the scenes on a move, they may look hold out and wait until the buyout market heats up to bring aboard some reinforcements before the postseason.
With that thought in mind, The Athletic’s Eric Nehm (subscription required) recently proposed his picks for players that could be buyout targets for the Bucks post-deadline. It is an interesting list, and here is a breakdown of all four players and whether or not they could end up with the champs.
The Athletic’s buyout targets for the Milwaukee Bucks – Goran Dragic
Considering Goran Dragic has turned into a rival player for the Bucks after two consecutive playoff meetings with the Miami Heat, fans may be hesitant to bring him in, hypothetically. However, if he does become available, the 35-year-old would certainly be a compelling buyout target. Right now, it remains to be seen what will happen to Dragic in his current situation.
After spending six and a half seasons with the Heat, Miami traded Dragic to the Toronto Raptors in a sign-and-trade for Kyle Lowry. Dragic has appeared in just five games for the rebuilding Raptors this season, and he is currently away from the team. Rumors have been swirling for months that Dragic could potentially be bought out of what remains of his $19.4 million deal for this year, and the former Most Improved Player would have no shortage of suitors if that came to fruition.
Dragic would be a perfect fit for Milwaukee’s second unit. He would provide a solid dose of scoring and facilitating off the bench, which would help tremendously, considering Milwaukee’s reserves currently rank 29th in both points and assists per game this season. Dragic’s production could be the answer to help bump those numbers up, and although he has played only briefly this season, many would say he is an upgrade over Milwaukee’s current backup floor general in George Hill. If the Bucks were to move Hill in a trade – hypothetically for Robert Covington, for instance – then Dragic would be a perfect buyout candidate.