Grading the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade deadline/buyout market moves

An overall grade for the Milwaukee Bucks’ trade deadline/buyout market moves

Overall, the Bucks did solid with their roster retooling through the trade and the buyout market. Sure, they did not add a needle-tipping addition, but given the limited assets at their disposal to use in trades and how lackluster this year’s buyout market was, the team did rather well.

Though it stung when Pat Connaughton got injured hours after the trade deadline and the absence of DiVincenzo left the Bucks without guard depth, trading him was the right move nevertheless. The signings of Bembry and Carter will help make up for the team’s current backcourt woes, giving them a pair of quality rotational veterans. There are some questions about how the tandem may fit into the playoff rotation, but that is a question for down the line, given how urgently Milwaukee needed to add some guard depth in the present.

The addition of Ibaka gives the Bucks the backup center they have longed for since controversially waiving DeMarcus Cousins in January. Though the Bucks are optimistic that Brook Lopez will make his return to action at some point this season, having Ibaka as an insurance policy is welcoming. In the meantime, Ibaka will give Milwaukee a reputable backup to play behind Bobby Portis, giving them a defensive-minded big man to utilize, which is precisely what they needed at the time.

The most obvious reason why some were not too high on Milwaukee’s roster moves, particularly in the buyout, was because of a specific target they missed out on. The Bucks were in hot pursuit of Goran Dragic after his buyout with the San Antonio Spurs, and many considered him their best option on the market. However, he signed with the Nets and the Bucks were left looking to fill out their roster elsewhere. Though they did not get Dragic, Milwaukee’s buyout haul has been solid.

All in all, looking at what the Bucks lost and what they gained, they did rather well for themselves. Though losing DiVincenzo hurt the backcourt, it helped the Bucks alleviate their need for a backup big man, which was far more needed than having another guard at the time. Essentially swapping out a pair of non-rotational players in Hood and Ojeleye for quality players in Bembry and Carter has also proven to be a great move for Milwaukee, as the newcomers have shown potential.

BTBP Grade: B+

Hopefully Ibaka, Bembry, and Carter can continue to help the Milwaukee Bucks on a nightly basis.