The Utah Jazz continue to clean house this offseason as they trade key components of their roster, and it appears that the Milwaukee Bucks are looking to get involved.
According to Fastbreak’s Brett Siegel, the Bucks are among a handful of teams to express interest in acquiring Clarkson from the Jazz in recent weeks. Siegel noted that among the veteran players still on Utah’s roster following their recent dealings, Clarkson has generated the most interest in trade talks across the league. It would not be surprising to see the 30-year-old guard moved any day now, and here are three reasons why the Bucks should be the team to acquire him.
Jordan Clarkson would help the Milwaukee Bucks upgrade at the backup guard position
There has been plenty of discussion about how the Milwaukee Bucks could use an upgrade in the backcourt off the bench this offseason. George Hill, who many hoped could be a stable point guard in the second unit last season, just had the worst season of his career. Fans have clamored for the front office to seek an upgrade at the position, and Jordan Clarkson would fit the billing.
At this point, Clarkson would certainly be an upgrade over Hill. The 30-year-old has become one of the most reliable bench players in the entire NBA since he joined the Jazz, and the Bucks could use a player of that caliber in their second unit at the guard position. Clarkson is also six years younger than Hill at the moment, so adding him would help the Bucks bring in some more youth, which is an attribute they needed more of this offseason.
Although Clarkson is not a traditional playmaking point guard, having averaged a mere 2.5 assists per game for his career, he would be another capable ball-handler that could give players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jrue Holiday a break from constant ball-handling duties. That could be the key to unlocking some intriguing lineup combinations for the Bucks, especially when they pair him alongside Holiday, due to both of them being combo guards.
In short, Clarkson would immediately help bolster Milwaukee’s guard depth off the bench, and he would be an upgrade over Hill.