Two dark horse trade candidates for the Milwaukee Bucks

Dark horse Milwaukee Bucks trade targets: Grant Williams

I know this one isn’t going to sit well with some Milwaukee Bucks fans because of some of his antics in the playoff series with the Boston Celtics last season and his nature to turn into an absolute lights out 3-point shooter against the Bucks, but hear me out.

The Boston Celtics, who have become something of a rival in the past half-decade or so, may be reluctant to help out one of their main competitors in the Eastern Conference. However, the Celtics had the opportunity to extend an option to Grant Williams this past off-season and decided not to do so, nor have they signed him to a contract extension in the time since, making him a potential trade candidate as a free agent at year’s end.

Grant Williams has a much more acquirable contract at $4.3 million this season, the Milwaukee Bucks could send out George Hill and as many second round picks as Boston deemed necessary to help out a Conference rival while aiding their own future.

This deal makes sense for Boston as well because there will come a day in the near future where Jayson Tatum is going to command superstar money and Jaylen Brown will command near superstar money, if the Celtics intend to retain both, acquiring picks whenever possible to surround their star duo with inexpensive players may be in their best interest, while also adding a savvy veteran point guard for the remainder of this season.

What would Grant Williams bring to the Bucks? Essentially, the same thing as Jae Crowder, but more efficient. Comparing the two is pretty eye opening, Grant Williams is more efficient at shooting across the board. Admittedly, comparing Grant Williams this season to Jae Crowder last season does suggest that Jae Crowder brings more to the defensive side of the ball, the Bucks could employ Grant Williams the exact same way they would Crowder, for a much lower cost.

Their bodies are basically identical, basketball-reference lists Jae Crowder at 6’6″ 235 and Grant Williams at 6’6″ 236, both are stocky, strong guys. Grant Williams, not only the more efficient, younger player, also has more recent experience facing players the Bucks may face in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Kevin Durant is one that immediately comes to mind, the Celtics swept the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs last season. Then the Bucks could eventually use Grant Williams against his own team and use him to defend former teammates Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum and have an advantage by knowing their tendencies.

As a disclaimer, even though these two are dark horses, neither of them have been rumored to be of interest to the Bucks or even so much as rumored to be available in trade talks, but both could make sense if the market for other players the Bucks have interest in gets too competitive or moves are made sooner than later on other candidates.

The NBA trade deadline is February 9th, we’ll see what Jon Horst has in store over the next five weeks.