The pros and cons of the Milwaukee Bucks trading for Jordan Clarkson

The cons of the Milwaukee Bucks trading for Jordan Clarkson

Though Jordan Clarkson is an eye-catching trade target for the Milwaukee Bucks, especially when thinking about the team’s bench issues last season, there are also some reasons why fans may be hesitant to bring him aboard.

First and foremost, Clarkson is not exactly a traditional fit when looking at this Milwaukee roster. Over the years, the team prioritized adding players who can knock down 3-pointers while playing robust defense on the opposite end of the floor. Neither of those are strong suits of Clarkson’s, as he has sunk just 33.8 percent of his career triples and has never been known as a defender. The Bucks have always put 3-point shooters around Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Clarkson’s inability to hit them could hinder how well the duo would fit together. It has also been hard for players who struggle defensively to get playing time on a consistent basis in Mike Budenholzer’s system.

In addition to the fit concerns, the Utah Jazz’s asking price could also be somewhat steep for the Bucks. According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, Utah believes that Clarkson is among the players on their roster worth a first round pick in any trade. Given that the Bucks are incredibly short on their first rounders over the next several years, they may be reluctant to meet that price.

Furthermore, the Bucks would also likely have to give up George Hill and Grayson Allen to match Clarkson’s $13.3 million contract for next season. While trading Hill would be reasonable, Allen did just have the best season of his NBA career and has proven to be a perfect fit with the Bucks. Due to his strong play last season, some may be reluctant to include moving Allen, who was a full-time starter for the Bucks until the postseason. The addition of a first round pick in that proposal makes a trade even more questionable.