There are both positive and negative results for the new-look Milwaukee Bucks as a result of the Donte DiVincenzo trade. Let’s examine and assess the good, the bad, the sublime, and the ugly.
Assessing the positives and negatives of the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade deadline move that included Serge Ibaka and Donte DiVincenzo
When the Bucks traded guard DiVincenzo for Los Angeles Clippers power forward and center Serge Ibaka, they addressed the biggest position of need on the roster. With Brook Lopez’s return date still to be determined, Ibaka instantly provides rim protection and interior defense that the roster lacks without Lopez and when Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the bench.
It is clearly evident that without Lopez, the Bucks severely lack production from the backup center stop. There is only so long that Antetokounmpo can play the five spot and provide rim protection and interior defense. Without him and Lopez, there has been very little of either provided. This is where Ibaka ideally slides into the picture. He will cover this need in both aspects, while at the same time, pushing Bobby Portis back to the bench as a sixth man.
With Ibaka in the starting lineup and Portis relegated back to sixth man duties, this will instantly improve the bench production. This will be even more palpable with the loss of Pat Connaughton for the foreseeable future with a broken hand.
Ibaka instantly should provide rim protection and be able to stop the bleeding in the paint when opposing teams are pounding the ball down low. He can also stretch the floor offensively and force defenses to respect his ability to hit the 3-point shot, which he’s proven to be able to do so in the past.
Coming off of back surgery as well, Ibaka has played in 35 games this season for the Clippers and only averaged 6.6 points per game. Whether or not he is not back to 100 percent health, or ever will at his age, is somewhat of a concern.
The Bucks lost one of their only assets on the roster, while at the same time giving up arguably the only talented youth on the roster in DiVincenzo, other than perhaps Jordan Nwora, some might argue.
Hopefully, Ibaka will revert back to his double-digit scoring average the past few seasons. If not, this trade might look like a loss down the road and in the long run.
A huge bonus as part of the trade for the Bucks was getting rid of Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye, who were both two of the worst free agent signings in recent team history. We can also assume that two more roster spots will be opened up when and if Greg Monroe and Lindell Wiggington are also off the roster.
With Ibaka now on the roster, it looks more unlikely that once Monroe’s 10-day contract expires, he will not be offered a second one. The backup point guard spot is still an area of need for the Bucks.
With the potential of two open roster spots, there has been some talk of signing Goran Dragic, who was recently bought out by the San Antonio Spurs, and/or Dennis Schroder, who could also be bought out by the Houston Rockets. Signing either player would also provide a major upgrade and instant spark offensively off the bench.
The one major concern for the Bucks roster moving forward beyond this season is the lack of youth. Aside from Giannis at the ripe age of 27, and with the addition of Ibaka, the Bucks roster has gotten older. Losing their best young player and best asset could come back to bite them if they don’t repeat this season and win back-to-back championships. Realistically, the roster is now devoid of young talent.
This is the cost of doing business though in the NBA. If the Milwaukee Bucks do indeed repeat as back-to-back champions, nobody should question what the future holds, in addition to the lack of young talent on the roster.
No fans can really ask for anything more than back-to-back championships unless they get greedy. This is really the ultimate goal for this season.