The 2022 NBA Trade Deadline is just two days away, and it seems like we have some new clarity on one of the Milwaukee Bucks’ rumored trade targets.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (subscription required) reported early Tuesday morning that the Bucks and Boston Celtics have had talks involving guard Donte DiVincenzo for Schröder. Spotrac’s Keith Smith added that Milwaukee wants Grant Williams included in a deal, but Boston is not willing to move him at this point. Smith notes that this has killed any traction on a deal thus far.
Reactions to the latest Milwaukee Bucks’ news in pursuit of Dennis Schröder
It appears tough to envision that the Bucks get Schröder before the deadline, mainly due to the inclusion of DiVincenzo. HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto recently reported that the Bucks want to keep DiVincenzo unless they are getting a piece that can help them right now, and some would question whether or not Schröder fits the profile. That answer will depend on who gets asked, but it seems logical to believe the Bucks could look to continue these Schröder discussions and leave no stone unturned, given their previous interest in the guard over the past several years.
Milwaukee’s first attempt to trade for Schröder reportedly came in 2017, when the Bucks were in the market for an upgrade in the backcourt. Ultimately, they ended up trading for Eric Bledsoe, but ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported that they had discussed a deal for Schröder with the Atlanta Hawks, where he was then playing.
Several years later, the Bucks reportedly went after the guard again, this time following an ugly second round debacle to the Miami Heat in the 2020 Playoffs. It was clear that they needed to move on from Bledsoe after a second consecutive postseason debacle, and they made a strong push to add Schröder. According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Bucks were in deep trade talks with the OKC Thunder to acquire the guard before he was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers. Safe to say that missing out on him this time actually worked out well for the Bucks as it forced them to pivot to trading for Jrue Holiday.
Milwaukee’s front office clearly has a thing for Schröder, and after two unsuccessful attempts to acquire him, he remains there for the taking this year. That is largely because he is on the books for a team-friendly $5.9 million this season, having signed a “prove-it” deal with Boston in free agency. Even the cash-strapped Bucks could have put together a trade package to take on that contract, but something just did not click between them and the Celtics.
Not landing Schröder is not the end of the world for the defining champs, as they should be in the market for a center rather than a backup point guard. Yet, Schröder is a justifiable target for the Bucks due to their lackluster production from the second unit this year.
Ranking 29th in both points and assists per game this season, Milwaukee’s reserves have struggled to contribute, and a former Sixth Man of the Year runner-up like Schröder could have been the answer to these issues. He would have been a sizeable addition, but if the Bucks are pushing him to the side to target a big man, it is justifiable.
Perhaps the two sides will continue talking over the next 48 hours or so.
Stay tuned for the latest Milwaukee Bucks rumors leading up to the 2022 NBA Trade Deadline.