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.
2 things the Milwaukee Bucks need at the 2023 NBA trade deadline: A big wing defender who can double as a small ball four
It is no secret that the Milwaukee Bucks are always on the hunt for more defensive help to fortify their efforts on that end. This season should be no different, as the Bucks should be looking for a defensive-minded forward to help them take on bigger wings. Wesley Matthews has been used as Milwaukee’s primary big wing defender this season, and he has done a fine job. However, without Matthews, essentially all of the other wings and guards in Milwaukee’s current rotation are under 6-foot-5, which has led to some problematic matchups. The team could use some help quickly.
Of course, when it has come to defensive-minded trade targets for the Bucks this season, the one name that has popped up the most has been Jae Crowder. The Bucks had shown interest in using their limited assets to get Crowder from the moment he requested a trade from the Phoenix Suns before the season began. Milwaukee’s interest in Crowder is justified, as the 6-foot-6 wing would be a great fit for this team on the defensive end. When the Bucks play teams with bigger wings in Boston or Brooklyn, Crowder could be utilized to defend those players. His height and toughness could both be valuable attributes in those particular matchups.
In addition to being a lengthy defender, Crowder would also bring more versatility. The Bucks have longed for a small-ball power forward for quite some time now, and Crowder would be the perfect fit. Right now, the Bucks don’t have a player to fill that role when Giannis Antetokounmpo goes to the center position. Given how deadly the Bucks have proven to be in those lineups, adding a piece like Crowder to bring out the best in those particular lineups would help this team improve.
Crowder seems like the target the Bucks covet the most leading up to the deadline, but if another team jumps in and acquires him, there are other targets out there. Two notable players who could be worth keeping an eye on are Kelly Oubre Jr. and P.J. Washington. As noted by Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, teams are keeping an eye on Oubre, and Washington could possibly be had before the deadline. Either player would be a great fit with the Bucks for reasons similar to Crowder.
The Milwaukee Bucks have until February 9 to make a trade; do they have a plan?
General Manager Jon Horst has been known to be quite aggressive on the trade market each year. Sometimes, it was clear who he had his eyes on, as the Bucks were interested in adding P.J. Tucker for months before they finally got him in 2021. However, Horst has always made trades for pieces no one was expecting, such as Serge Ibaka last season. This year, there is no telling which way the Bucks may go.
On the one hand, Milwaukee’s interest in Jae Crowder seems similar to when they were interested in Tucker, as they have been looking to get him for months. With Crowder still sitting at home and waiting to be traded, the Bucks appear intent on getting him on the court again. Shams Charania of The Athletic (Subscription required) reported that the Bucks were willing to offer players and four second rounders in a three-team trade for Crowder recently, so the interest has not gone anywhere. The Bucks could have their eyes locked on Crowder at the moment, and they would be justified for it. With the deadline nearing, it would not be surprising if they ramped up their pursuit of the veteran in the coming weeks.
Given everything that has transpired in the past month, Horst should also be looking to bring in more help offensively, and he very well could be behind the scenes. With Middleton missing his share of time once again and there not being a timetable for his return, the Bucks desperately need another capable scorer. With Brook Lopez missing considerable time last year, the Bucks made a move for Ibaka as an insurance policy. Depending on how well Middleton is progressing, perhaps they could do the same thing for the three-time All-Star forward this season.
Only time will tell, but rumors on who the Bucks are looking into could come to light sooner rather than later with the deadline inching closer every single day.
Stay tuned to see if the Milwaukee Bucks address either of these needs at the NBA trade deadline.