3 trade rumors the Milwaukee Bucks should steer clear of before deadline
By Dalton Sell
The Milwaukee Bucks should avoid Russell Westbrook trade rumors
It seems like everyone questioned the Los Angeles Lakers’ decision to trade for former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook this past offseason. While Westbrook is a highly-decorated point guard, his fit with the franchise was always questionable, and the experiment quickly backfired. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick (subscription required), the Lakers have already shown internal interest in trading the guard away before the deadline. For obvious reasons, the Bucks should stay out of this one.
First and foremost, the Bucks already have one of the very best point guards in the business with Jrue Holiday. There would be no reason for Milwaukee to target another starting guard when they already have Holiday on the roster, particularly one as ball-dominant as Westbrook. The guard has always had his share of issues fitting in alongside other stars, and he would be a horrendous fit in Milwaukee alongside Antetokounmpo and the rest of the bunch.
Given his inability to shoot it from distance, Westbrook has always relied on attacking the basket offensively. His constant attacking would clog the lane for Antetokounmpo and others too often, which would prove troublesome quickly. Not to mention that the 33-year-old is currently leading the NBA in turnovers this season. The Bucks do not need him orchestrating the team when they have players like Antetokounmpo, Holiday, and Middleton.
Westbrook’s enormous contract is just another reason why the Bucks should not even kick the tires in any trade talks for the guard. Not only is he on the books for $44.2 million this season, but he has a player option next season worth a monstrous $47 million. To even match salaries in any trade, the Bucks would have to include some combination of Middleton, Holiday, and Lopez, along with several other pieces to make a deal work. The front office will undoubtedly pass on this one, as they should.