The pros and cons of the Milwaukee Bucks trading for Jordan Clarkson
By Dalton Sell
The verdict on if the Milwaukee Bucks should trade for Jordan Clarkson
Despite the fit concerns with Jordan Clarkson, he should certainly be viewed as a desirable trade target for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks need a player like Clarkson who can check in and score the basketball in bunches off the bench. While most of his points likely will not come from behind the arc, Clarkson could still be just what the Bucks need to prevent their offense from going stagnant at times, as he can get hot in a hurry. Rather than being so dependent on the Big 3 to carry the load offensively, Clarkson could help strengthen the Bucks’ offense. Having a player like that could be especially pivotal in the postseason, where the Bucks have been known to go cold at times. Simply put, the Bucks could fix a major weakness in their bench scoring by adding one of the best reserves in the NBA.
Defensively, the concerns would certainly be there for Clarkson. While he may not be the strongest individual defender, that might not hurt the overall team. After all, the Utah Jazz’s defensive rating ranked third in the league during the 2020-21 season and tenth last season, per NBA.com/stats. The Jazz were able to thrive defensively even with Clarkson in the fold, and the Bucks undoubtedly do the same with strong defenders like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez in the mix. The Bucks know they would not be fortifying their defense by adding Clarkson, as it would be more about improving their offense.
The difficult aspect of any Clarkson trade is trying to decipher an adequate trade package for both sides. The most logical offer would seemingly be Grayson Allen, George Hill, and possibly a second round pick or two, but it might not be that easy. If the Jazz do indeed want a first rounder, that may complicate things. The Bucks are also high on Allen, so they may be reluctant to move him. Could Jordan Nwora somehow fit into this situation? The forward is still a restricted free agent, and as the Jazz look to stock up on young talent, the 24-year-old could be viewed as a desirable piece in a sign-and-trade. However, that is just speculation. If the Bucks can get Clarkson without giving up the farm, they absolutely should pursue the opportunity.
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Stay tuned to see if the Milwaukee Bucks do pull off a trade for Jordan Clarkson this offseason.