3 Milwaukee Bucks’ trade targets worth their first round pick in NBA Draft

For the first time since selecting Donte DiVincenzo in 2018, the Milwaukee Bucks are set to have a first round pick this year.

There are some different opinions as to what exactly the Bucks should do with that first round pick. On the one hand, utilizing that 24th pick would be a great chance for them to add some youth into the mix, something this team desperately needs. Perhaps the Bucks could get a solid young wing to patch up one of their most notable flaws. On the other hand, the Bucks could follow a path they are familiar with over the past few years and trade the pick to improve the roster on impact. If the reigning champions decide to go with the latter option, here are three players that would be worth trading that 24th overall selection for this offseason.

De’Andre Hunter would be worth the Milwaukee Bucks’ first round pick in a trade this offseason

The Milwaukee Bucks will be in the hunt for wings this offseason, and one player that would be an ideal fit is De’Andre Hunter. The 24-year-old just wrapped up his third NBA season, and though he has not been mentioned too frequently in the rumor mill, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported during the 2022 trade deadline frenzy that the Atlanta Hawks were “open for business” regarding a good chunk of their roster. If there is any chance that the Hawks are still open for business and are okay with listening to offers for Hunter, the Bucks must give them a call.

Hunter checks off all the boxes of being a perfect target for the Bucks this offseason. Standing at 6-foot-8, Hunter is a versatile forward that has proven to be an outstanding defender, and he can guard multiple positions at a high level. In addition to his defense, Hunter has shown potential on the offensive end by averaging 13.2 points per game while shooting 35.9 percent from three over his first three seasons. Scoring on the wing was a sizeable issue for the Bucks in the postseason when Khris Middleton went down, and a quality player like Hunter could certainly help lessen that concern moving forward. On top of that, Hunter is just 24-years-old and would be a younger piece to integrate into this championship-contending core.

If the Hawks are willing to listen to offers on the former first round pick, the Bucks would have to piece together a deal to take in Hunter’s $9.8 million salary for next year. Given what he brings to the table, that is a reasonable number for the Bucks, but the biggest question is if they have the asset capital to get the job done. Milwaukee would undoubtedly have to include their first round pick in any deal, which is reasonable. Hunter could be exactly what the Milwaukee Bucks need to add this offseason, and if he is potentially available, they should part ways with that first rounder without any questions asked.