On Monday, Clutch Points author Jon Conahan proposed four trades for the Milwaukee Bucks to make ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, here we rank them from worst to first based on fit, cost, and contribution to the Bucks roster to see which trade would benefit the Bucks most on their defense of the NBA Championship.
The Milwaukee Bucks will for sure be active heading into next week and up to the trade deadline and have been in contact with several teams, but no deals have been made yet. Players likely to be dealt are Donte DiVincenzo, Rodney Hood, Semi Ojeleye, and perhaps others to make money work or add in draft picks. Jon Horst will definitely make additions to this team.
Also, to be noted is one of the trades involves a player dealt before the publishing of this article.
Clutch Points’ proposed trades: #4 – Milwaukee Bucks add Justin Holiday
This trade I believe benefits the Milwaukee Bucks the least for a few reasons, the obvious being that it doesn’t address the Bucks’ need for a big man. Clutch Points proposed this trade citing that the Bucks are rumored to have checked in on Jrue Holiday’s older brother Justin Holiday as he could offer the Bucks 3-point shooting and another potential defender to throw at Kevin Durant.
While the eldest Holiday brother would certainly bring stellar 3-point shooting (38 percent), he shoots a low field goal percentage and doesn’t bring a lot more to the table aside from some occasional scoring. Holiday is 6’6 and would be better attempting to guard Kevin Durant than Donte DiVincenzo but this move feels lateral. Justin Holiday would play a very similar role on this team to what Pat Connaughton gives the Bucks without the rebounding that Connaughton gives while shooting a lower field goal and 3-point percentage.
With a negative offensive box +/- (-0.5) and defensive box +/- (-0.9) I agree with the last point that the author makes that this deal basically ensures that the Milwaukee Bucks don’t lose Donte DiVincenzo for nothing in free agency as Justin Holiday is under contract for next season as well. In my opinion this deal should be a last resort.