Behind the Bucks Pass
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3 dream trade targets for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022 NBA offseason

By Dalton Sell

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 15: Wesley Matthews #23 of the Milwaukee Bucks fouls OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Fiserv Forum on January 15, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 15: Wesley Matthews #23 of the Milwaukee Bucks fouls OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors in the second half at Fiserv Forum on January 15, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks: Khris Middleton, Indiana Pacers: Buddy Hield
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 15 (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Buddy Hield would be a dream trade target for the Milwaukee Bucks

For years now, one of the biggest problems for the Milwaukee Bucks has been their inability to hit 3-pointers consistently in the postseason. After watching the Bucks sink just 27.9 percent of their 3-pointers across seven games against the Boston Celtics in the second round, it is clear that they should pursue some reliable shooters this offseason. If Milwaukee is looking to vanquish this issue ahead of next season, they could push all their chips to the center of the table by acquiring one of the best marksmen in the league in Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers.

Knocking down 39.8 percent of his career 3-pointers on 7.6 attempts per game, Hield has been an outstanding shooter throughout his career. Due to that prolific shot, Hield would fit like a glove in a 3-point reliant system like coach Mike Budenholzer’s, where he would have the greenest of lights. Hield’s reputable perimeter shooting would turn this Milwaukee offense up a notch, giving them a sharpshooter that knocked down the second-most triples in the league during the NBA’s 2021-22 regular season. Hield would fit seamlessly in Milwaukee’s starting five and would also be the best starting two-guard they have had in the past several years.

Sticking with Hield’s sharpshooting, his reliability from the perimeter would make him the perfect complementary piece to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Over the past two years, the Bucks have added Bryn Forbes and Grayson Allen to play the role of Antetokounmpo’s reliable kick-out threat, which entails simply capitalizing on wide-open 3-point looks off passes from the two-time MVP winner. Mainly due to the amount of wide-open looks, both players boasted the best shooting percentage from 3-point range in their respective careers. Adding someone like Hield, who is one of the best in the business at letting it fly, into this system would be like Forbes and Allen on steroids.

The most significant hurdle that would surface if the Bucks were interested in Hield would be his sizeable contract, as he is set to make $20.5 million next season. Trying to piece together a trade to absorb that salary would be a tall order for general manager Jon Horst, but it is not impossible. The 29-year-old will likely be available for trade this offseason as The Athletic’s Shams Charania (subscription required) reported previously that rival executives believe the Pacers will be open to dealing him along with a significant portion of their roster this offseason. It may seem like a big longshot, but the Bucks should check in with their Central Division rival nevertheless.

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