3 dark horse trade candidates for the Milwaukee Bucks before 2023 deadline
By Dalton Sell
3 dark horse trade candidates for the Milwaukee Bucks before 2023 deadline – Malik Beasley, Utah Jazz
Sticking with the Utah Jazz and Jake Fischer’s same reporting, another player the team could look to potentially move before the deadline is Malik Beasley. The 26-year-old has been having himself a solid year in Salt Lake City, and if the Jazz are willing to listen to offers, the Bucks must call them.
Adding Beasley would not help the Bucks’ need for another wing defender, but it would help them address their lack of scoring, which has been another notable concern. With Khris Middleton out of the lineup for most of the season due to injuries, Milwaukee’s offense has had its share of hiccups, especially lately. Beasley, who has averaged 14.0 points this season, would help tremendously. He would help take some of the scoring load off of the shoulders of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday, which this team needs badly.
One specific area the Bucks need to get better in is 3-point shooting. They have shot 34.3 percent from deep this season, which is tied for 20th in the league. One of Beasley’s best attributes is the ability to shoot the long ball, having shot 38 percent from three on 8.3 attempts per game over his last three seasons. Per NBA.com/stats, Beasley has the third most catch-and-shoot 3-pointers in the league this season at 95. The Bucks would benefit mightily from adding a reliable shooter who can let it fly with results like that. He’d be the perfect 3-point kick-out threat for Antetokounmpo.
On the financial side of it, Beasley would be a bit trickier than Vanderbilt, as he is on the books for $15.5 million this season. That is still within the realm of possibility for the Bucks, but it would be more challenging. The question also remains what exactly the Jazz would want for Beasley in any trade. Whatever the case, the Bucks, at the bare minimum, should look into making a move.