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3 reasons to love the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade for Serge Ibaka

By Tyler Schickert

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07 (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07 (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks: Donte DiVincenzo
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 30 (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Before Thursday afternoon’s NBA trade deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks finalized a deal to acquire former Los Angeles Clippers center Serge Ibaka. There are three big reasons to love this trade for the Bucks and what it does for them in the future.

Reason No. 1 to love the Serge Ibaka trade for the Milwaukee Bucks: The deal itself

While the loss of Donte DiVincenzo is unfortunate, especially given the loss of Pat Connaughton for the foreseeable future, consider what else the Milwaukee Bucks shipped out and got in return.

In the deal for Ibaka (a four-team trade that included the Pistons, Kings, Clippers, and Bucks) the Bucks were also able to offload two of their least desirable contracts in Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye. These are two players who some were upset were held onto when the Bucks released DeMarcus Cousins, whose contract wasn’t guaranteed, back in early January. Hood and Ojeleye had guaranteed deals and Jon Horst was able to find a destination for them in Los Angeles.

Not only were the Bucks able to deal away two players that surely would have no place in their playoff rotation, but they were able to get some assets in addition to acquiring Ibaka. In the deal, the Bucks will also receive $3.285 million in cash, according to The Athletic’s John Hollinger.

In addition to Ibaka and cash, the Bucks are also receiving two second round picks. On the surface, two second round picks may not sound like much help but consider what Horst pulled off just this past summer using two second round picks and Sam Merrill (a second-round pick) in the deal for Grayson Allen.

Allen became the day one starter at shooting guard for the Bucks and currently is second on the team in 3-point shots made and fourth on the team in 3-point percentage. Allen is also tied with Giannis Antetokounmpo for third on the team in games played. In a season where the Milwaukee Bucks have dealt with countless injuries and illnesses, availability is a significant plus. So, the second-round picks can definitely be used to bolster the Bucks roster this coming offseason.

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