3 teams the Milwaukee Bucks should contact in trade talks this offseason

The Milwaukee Bucks should call the Charlotte Hornets in trade talks during the 2022 NBA offseason

It will be fascinating to see what the Charlotte Hornets do this offseason after falling short in the play-in game for the second consecutive season. They feel like a franchise that has several pieces worth building around, but they may be one or two players away from being legitimate. Only time will tell what their plans are, but the Milwaukee Bucks should give them a call, as the Hornets are potentially an interesting trade partner due to a pair of forwards on their roster.

P.J. Washington should be on Milwaukee’s radar heading into the offseason, as he would certainly be a piece worth pursuing. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported prior to the trade deadline last season that Washington was a “trade possibility” for the Hornets, but they ultimately decided to keep him. The Bucks should inquire about his availability, and if the Hornets are willing to discuss a deal in the offseason, Milwaukee should make a spirited run at him. Washington’s ability to be the small-ball power forward for the Bucks is the most prominent reason why they should target him. After letting P.J. Tucker go in free agency, Milwaukee missed that small-ball four to place next to Giannis Antetokounmpo when he played center, and it hurt their lineup versatility. Adding a piece like Washington, who is a 6-foot-7 power forward, would immediately eradicate that concern. Washington’s $5.8 million salary for next season also makes him an affordable target.

If Washington is unavailable, perhaps the Bucks could turn their attention to Kelly Oubre Jr., who they had previously expressed interest in, according to SNY’s Ian Begley. Oubre would help give the Bucks some much-needed assistance on the wing while also helping on the defensive end as the 6-foot-7 forward can defend multiple positions at a high level. The 26-year-old is coming off a solid season with the Hornets, where he averaged 15 points while hitting a career-high 2.5 threes per game, having thrived in a bench role. In theory, Oubre could bring some of that to Milwaukee, giving them a Swiss Army Knife off the bench that can defend, score, shoot, and bring a dose of versatility to the table. From a financial perspective, trading for Oubre would be a tad pricier for the Bucks than trading for Washington, given that the former will make $12.6 million next year. Still, given what he is capable of, the Bucks would be wise to at least survey the situation.

Stay tuned to see which teams the Milwaukee Bucks contact in trades this coming offseason.