3 teams the Milwaukee Bucks should contact in trade talks this offseason
By Dalton Sell
The Milwaukee Bucks should call the Indiana Pacers in trade talks during the 2022 NBA offseason
The Indiana Pacers let it be known this past season that they are ready to enter a full-on rebuild. They sent two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings and seemingly made a significant portion of their remaining roster available in trades. If the Pacers are looking to trade away some key components of their roster this coming offseason, the Milwaukee Bucks should kick the tires on a few of their rotational players.
The first is Buddy Hield, who has become one of the best long-range marksmen since coming into the NBA in 2016. Hield has shot 39.8 percent from three on an eye-catching 7.6 attempts over his first six seasons, which would make him a perfect fit with the Bucks. Milwaukee is always looking to add more outside shooting, and adding one of the best in the business in Hield would turn their offense up a notch. He would be a perfect complementary piece to Giannis Antetokounmpo, giving him a reliable catch-and-shoot threat out on the perimeter. Given that Hield is set to make a hefty $20.5 million next season, landing him would be a tall order for the Bucks, but it is not impossible. Hield would be the perfect starting shooting guard for this team, so the front office should at least explore making a move for the guard.
Another name is Myles Turner, who the Bucks reportedly had interest in acquiring last season prior to the NBA trade deadline. According to Heavy.com’s Steve Bullpet, rival executives reported that the Bucks had expressed interest in trading for Turner “to play the Brook Lopez role.” Turner does check off several of the boxes that Lopez does in terms of what they bring to the table with their reputable defense and an ability to stretch the floor, but the former is eight years younger, which could be compelling for Milwaukee. Lopez did miss a significant portion of last season due to an abrupt back procedure, and after recently turning 34-years-old, perhaps the team could look to get younger by pursuing Turner. The center’s sizeable $17.5 million salary for next season makes him a pricey target, but the Bucks have some assets to make a deal work, especially if the Pacers are looking to move on from Myles Turner this coming offseason.
On a lesser scale, T.J. McConnell could also be an interesting trade target for the Bucks due to their need for a reliable backup point guard. McConnell has been a reliable backup throughout his career, having averaged 6.9 points, five assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. The guard is pesky on the defensive end and can put the ball in the basket, and he would immediately be an upgrade over what the Bucks currently have in George Hill. McConnell is set to make $8.1 million next year, and if Milwaukee is attempting to make a smaller move, McConnell could help upgrade the backup point guard position.