After falling short in the 2022 NBA Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks will have a lengthy offseason ahead to prepare for next season.
Going into the NBA offseason, it is certainly not time for the front office to panic about the roster. Excuses are excuses, but Khris Middleton was sidelined for virtually the entirety of the playoff run, and Milwaukee still pushed their second round matchup with the Boston Celtics to seven games. The team is in a good position with their opening night starting five locked in for next season, but that does not mean they should just be complacent this offseason by any means. The front office should be aggressive in trying to make some tweaks to the supporting cast, and there are several players around the NBA that would be perfect fits on this roster. With that being said, let us look closer at three teams the Bucks should contact this offseason in trade talks to bulk up their roster.
The Milwaukee Bucks should call the Utah Jazz in trade talks during the 2022 NBA offseason
Everyone wants to know what the Utah Jazz will do this offseason after their first round exit in the playoffs. Rumors have been swirling that the team could look to make some seismic changes, and Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported that they are currently weighing trade possibilities with three-time All-Star Rudy Gobert. There could be some big changes coming in Utah this offseason, especially if franchise cornerstone Donovan Mitchell asks out. While the Milwaukee Bucks do not have nearly enough assets to land either of those two, there are several other players on the Jazz that could be enticing trade targets if they were looking to shake things up drastically.
Although it seems like a long shot, the Bucks should inquire about Jordan Clarkson’s availability in trade talks this offseason. Two of the most notable issues that plagued them throughout the year were a lack of second unit scoring and not having a reliable ball-handler off the bench. Clarkson is a player that could fix both of those issues on impact. During his two and a half seasons with Utah, one of which where he won Sixth Man of the Year, Clarkson has been a lethal scorer off the bench, having averaged 16.8 points per contest. Milwaukee needs a player that can generate consistent offense in the second unit, and Clarkson would be an ideal fit. The guard is also on the books for a relatively affordable $13.3 million next season, meaning the Bucks could make an offer if he were to be made available. Right now, it seems unlikely, but anything can happen in a few months.
If Clarkson if off the table, another target that would make sense for the Bucks to take a look at is Royce O’Neale. In fact, many have pegged the 28-year-old small forward as the ideal trade target for the Bucks this offseason due to what he could bring to the table. On impact, the 6-foot-4 small forward would immediately shore up Milwaukee’s wing depth, which is high on their to-do list this coming offseason after a lack of it was evident in their playoff run. Offensively, O’Neale would not provide an ample amount of scoring, but his outside shooting would help him fit right in as he has knocked down 38.1 percent of his career triples on three attempts per game. Defensively, O’Neale would be a great piece to add to the puzzle alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and a handful of others to make this team even more formidable on that side of the basketball. O’Neale is set to make $9.2 million next season, meaning his salary is digestible for a team like the Bucks. If he is potentially available, Milwaukee should make an offer for the 28-year-old.
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.
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.