It’s that time of the year when teams begin to pursue season-defining moves with the 2022 NBA trade deadline inching closer. However, the Milwaukee Bucks could be one of the title-contending teams that remain quiet on the open market in these coming days up until Thursday’s buzzer.
The Bucks are currently the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a 33-21 record. They’ve had an up and down season thus far to begin their quest of defending the title, yet they’re still very much in the hunt for the top seed in the East once the playoffs come around.
Milwaukee has been dealing with injuries throughout the entire campaign, and the absence of Brook Lopez has clearly hurt the most. Lopez has been out since the opening night thrashing over the Nets in October. There’s no specific timeline for his return, but there’s still hope that the seven-foot center can return at some point this season.
As the 2022 NBA trade deadline looms closer, we look at three reasons why the Milwaukee Bucks will stay quiet on the trade market.
The health of the Milwaukee Bucks, especially Brook Lopez, could serve as an indication of how active the defending champions will be ahead of the February 10th trade deadline. Although, if there’s any optimism that Lopez could be available in the postseason, it would likely decrease the chances of general manager Jon Horst making an aggressive “home run” move.
Without Lopez, Milwaukee’s best starting lineup includes Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Bobby Portis. The consistent bench rotation consists of George Hill, Pat Connaughton, Donte DiVincenzo, and Wesley Matthews.
Jordan Nwora, Rodney Hood, Semi Ojeleye, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and rookie Sandro Mamukelashvili (two-way contract) serve as reserves that occasionally enter the rotation.
With this currently constructed roster, the Bucks seem desperate for frontcourt depth. It has haunted them all season due to the absence of their starting champion center, so pursuing a big should be the priority for the Bucks leading up to the deadline.
Nevertheless, there are limitations and lack of flexibility for Milwaukee that could hinder their pursuit of desired targets and cause them to stay on the quieter side. Being quiet doesn’t necessarily mean that the Bucks won’t make any moves before the trade deadline, but rather implying that they won’t make a super impactful move like the P.J. Tucker acquisition last year.
Let’s look at three insightful reasons why the Milwaukee Bucks will have a quiet trade deadline.
No. 1 – The Milwaukee Bucks lack trade assets
Initially, the Milwaukee Bucks could stay quiet up to the trade deadline since they lack tradeable assets this time around. The Bucks have no first-round picks to offer, a couple of second-round picks, and a few intriguing prospects that could be made available in trade talks.
Donte DiVincenzo, a 25-year-old combo guard that’s coming off a recent foot injury, is likely the most attractive available asset that the Milwaukee Bucks possess. Jordan Nwora, a sharpshooting swingman in his sophomore season, is the other prospect that teams could be enticed by.
Other than those two contributors and second-round picks, the Bucks don’t have much else to offer. Everyone else on the roster is either untouchable, unlikely to be traded, or doesn’t hold enough value.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo are untouchable.
- Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen, and George Hill are unlikely to be moved while Wesley Matthews cannot be traded because he was recently signed.
- Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye likely don’t have much value in the eyes of other executives.
Due to the lack of assets that the Milwaukee Bucks hold, it seems unlikely that the 2021 world champions will make an aggressive, eye-opening move prior to Thursday’s trade deadline.
No. 2 – The Milwaukee Bucks seem to have no desire in trading Donte DiVincenzo
Despite being the most enticing young asset on the roster, the Milwaukee Bucks seem to be expressing the indication that they would rather not move Donte DiVincenzo by the upcoming deadline. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto:
"“Donte DiVincenzo has drawn considerable trade interest from teams around the league, sources told HoopsHype. Milwaukee isn’t going to move him unless they get a good young player or someone that’s going to help them win this season.”"
Barring any significant offers, it seems like the expectation is that the Bucks will hold onto DiVincenzo past the deadline and attempt to re-sign him in the offseason when he’ll become a restricted free agent. Milwaukee selected Donte with the 17th overall pick back in the 2018 NBA Draft.
DiVincenzo was included in the botched deal for Bogdan Bogdanovic that was unjustifiably voided due to suspected tampering violations during the 2020 offseason, so he’s been familiar with the trade rumors over the last year and a half or so. There seems to be mixed feelings about his value across the league though, largely due to his recent foot surgery and his struggles since returning to the court. His value isn’t as strong as it was last season, but he’s still a promising, athletic prospect that understands what it takes to win.
DiVincenzo could perhaps be sacrificed for another role player off the bench in trade conversations leading up to the deadline, but it doesn’t sound like the Bucks are comfortable with that. If general manager Jon Horst is unwilling to include Donte in certain packages, it’s going to be a very quiet deadline for the Milwaukee Bucks.
No. 3 – The Milwaukee Bucks are too limited financially with the lack of salary matching flexibility
Due to the short number of assets combined with the lack of financial flexibility that the Milwaukee Bucks currently have, it could be difficult for the front office to pull off an impactful trade before the deadline.
Of the four or five players that would be available in trade talks, Donte DiVincenzo makes around $4.6 million per year, Rodney Hood is on an expiring $2.2 million minimum contract, Semi Ojeleye is on an expiring $1.7 million minimum contract, and Jordan Nwora is earning $1.5 million this season. If the contract of Brook Lopez is included in a deal, which would only happen if there’s not a chance of him coming back this year, his annual salary is at around $13.3 million.
Realistically, it’s going to be challenging for the Bucks to acquire some desirable targets such as Mo Bamba, Daniel Theis, Montrezl Harrell, Richaun Holmes, and Jakob Poeltl due to their salary ranges and price tags. Pursuing someone like Oklahoma City’s Mike Muscala, who’s in the $3.5 million range, would be a more realistic acquisition.
Of course, the Bucks are deep into the luxury tax as well. The tax has already played a crucial factor in the organization’s decision-making after deciding not to re-sign P.J. Tucker last summer and waive DeMarcus Cousins prior to his guaranteed contract date earlier this year.
Evidently, the Bucks (ownership) don’t seem willing to absorb more salary in any potential deals since it would further increase the tax bill. Although, the buyout market should be a greater opportunity to bolster the roster without taking a huge tax hit.
Since the Milwaukee Bucks are limited financially, lack assets, and don’t seem to have the desire to trade their most attractive available asset, all indications are pointing to a quiet trade deadline for the defending champs.