The 2023 NBA trade deadline is less than a month away, and the Milwaukee Bucks are rumored to be looking at a handful of targets.
Two of the recurring names that have been linked to Milwaukee are Jae Crowder and Cam Reddish. The Bucks have been mentioned as a Crowder suitor since before the season began, and it seems like that has their interest has not waned in the past few months. Though Crowder has seemingly been Milwaukee’s top target for the Bucks, a new target could be in the mix as well. As reported by HoopsHype, the Bucks are among the teams to check in on Cam Reddish’s availability. Both of the players linked to Milwaukee are interesting, but let us decipher which target they should prefer.
The case for Jae Crowder being the Milwaukee Bucks’ preferred target
From the moment he requested a trade from the Phoenix Suns, Jae Crowder has been on the radar of the Milwaukee Bucks. Crowder is someone the Bucks covet highly, and though talks have gone quiet as of late, it would not be surprising if the Bucks ramped up their pursuit of the disgruntled Suns’ forward with the deadline inching closer.
Milwaukee’s interest in Crowder is easily justifiable. The Bucks’ front office has been searching for a sturdy wing defender for months now, and Crowder is the big fish on the market. The 6-foot-6 forward would fit exactly what the Bucks need, giving them a versatile wing with experience who can defend multiple positions one through five nightly. The 32-year-old veteran would also bring added experience to this roster, giving the Bucks a battle-tested veteran who has appeared in 107 playoff games in his career, including two trips to the NBA Finals.
Since he left during the 2021 offseason, the Bucks have been looking for a P.J. Tucker replacement. Looking across the league, it would be challenging to find an available player who could come into town and fill those shoes role-wise better than Crowder. Tucker and Crowder possess a lot of the same attributes, and the latter’s defense would help the Bucks tremendously as the former’s did during the team’s title run in 2021. Having Tucker allowed the team to have him guard the other team’s top scorer nightly, and Crowder could do the same thing.
There is undoubtedly a strong argument for Crowder to be the Bucks’ top trade target overall.
The case for Cam Reddish being the Milwaukee Bucks’ preferred target
After months of hearing rumors about Jae Crowder, hearing of the Milwaukee Bucks’ interest in Cam Reddish sparked some intrigue. Reddish, a former NBA lottery pick, has been booted from the New York Knicks’ rotation this season and has scarcely seen action lately. It seems like only a matter of time before Reddish is elsewhere, and the Bucks could be an interesting landing spot.
When describing Reddish, the biggest word one has to use is potential. Throughout his four NBA seasons, Reddish has consistently flashed potential as a promising two-way player but has never managed to carve out a steady role for himself. The Bucks do not exactly need a project player at the moment, given their title aspirations, but Reddish has some attributes that could make him a rather useful addition right now.
At 6-foot-8, Reddish possesses the length and versatility to be a solid wing defender. He has been fine on that side of things throughout his career and still has room to grow. Perhaps the Bucks are of the opinion that Reddish could develop into that big wing defender they need. Much like his play on defense, Reddish has also flashed potential on offense. He has averaged 10.2 points per game in his career but has admittedly struggled with his consistency.
Comparing Reddish to Crowder, they are at completely different stages of their career. Reddish is a 23-year-old looking to make a name for himself while Crowder is a 32-year-old vet who has been in the league for over a decade. Considering they entered this season with the oldest roster in the NBA, the Bucks could benefit from some youth. Reddish would instantly fit the billing and be one of the youngest players on this Milwaukee roster.
Reddish is not as much of a household name as Crowder, but he is an intriguing player himself.
The verdict on who should be the Milwaukee Bucks’ top trade target
Both Jae Crowder and Cam Reddish are compelling targets for the Milwaukee Bucks, but between the two, Crowder should be the team’s preferred target.
As highlighted previously, there is a significant gap between the two experience-wise. Although it would not hurt to add youth to this roster, the Bucks would likely choose a seasoned veteran who brings hard-earned playoff experience to the table any day of the week. For a Bucks team that is fixated on winning a championship this season, it is not too controversial to say that out of these two, Crowder is the more surefire pick to help this team on impact, primarily due to the reputable defense and experience he would provide.
One reason that could make some fans lean toward Reddish is the rumored asking price for both players. As Scotto noted in his reporting, the current asking price for Reddish is two second round picks. Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Shams Charania (subscription required) reported that the Bucks offered players and four second round picks to the Houston Rockets in what would have been a three-team deal with the Suns, but the trio still could not get a deal done. Crowder may cost more in any trade, but Milwaukee should be willing to pay the price, within reason.
Reddish would be a backup plan worth looking into if Crowder is dealt elsewhere, but as long as he is still on Phoenix’s roster, Crowder should be one of the primary trade targets for Milwaukee.
Stay tuned to see if the team makes a run at either of these two before the 2023 trade deadline.