Year in and year out, the Milwaukee Bucks turn to the trade market to make some minor tweaks to their roster. This year should be no different. In fact, perhaps the Bucks should look to do more than make just a minor tweak or two this year.
Though they sit third in the Eastern Conference, the Bucks have had their share of struggles this season, especially as of late. Many will point to the team’s health as a significant factor for their hot and cold start, and they do have a point. With Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, and Jrue Holiday, among others, all missing considerable time, it has been hard for the team to find a groove. The Bucks would be wise not to panic about their slow start, but that should not stop the front office from improving this roster, as there have been a couple of major weaknesses exposed.
With all of that being said, let us look at two things the Bucks need and how they may get them.
2 things the Milwaukee Bucks need at the 2023 NBA trade deadline: Another reliable shot-creator and ball-handler
After falling short against the Boston Celtics last season, it was clear that the Milwaukee Bucks needed more shot creation off the bench. The Bucks knew this as they targeted one of the best bench scorers in the league, Jordan Clarkson, this past offseason. Per Tony Jones of The Athletic, the Utah Jazz were unwilling to take back George Hill in any trade, which seemingly prevented a deal from gaining traction. Months later, the Bucks are still being plagued by the same issues, so they should look to try and patch them up before the trade deadline.
Similarly to the final portion of last season, a significant reason behind the Bucks’ inability to get going offensively has been the absence of Khris Middleton. He has appeared in just seven games this season due to injuries, and the Bucks have suffered as a result. This team needs a player who can put points on the board consistently to take pressure off of Giannis Antetokounmpo and one of the team’s few other shot-creators right now, Jrue Holiday.
Though Clarkson would still be a great fit for the Bucks, it seems like they will have to turn their attention elsewhere. Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report recently noted that Clarkson and the Jazz have been discussing a contract extension, likely taking him off the board. However, even with Clarkson likely out of the mix, there are still several names out there who should be of interest to the Bucks in their hunt to improve offensively.
Two trade targets who come to mind are Immanuel Quickley and Collin Sexton. Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania (Subscription required), the New York Knicks have been willing to listen to offers for Quickley in recent months, and the Bucks would be wise to call. The point guard is young, can score the ball at will, and has taken strides as a defender this season.
Sexton checks off several of the same boxes, but he would be harder to get with his $16.5 million this season. Sexton would be a starting-caliber guard who could keep give this offense some juice. Yossi Gozlan said on a recent episode of the HoopsHype Podcast that he believes Sexton could be flipped at some point in the future for assets, and the Bucks should monitor his trade availability.
The Bucks certainly aren’t limited to those two, but they would be wise to add either if they are on the table leading up to the February 6 deadline.