Instant reaction to Milwaukee Bucks’ newfound interest in Rui Hachimura

Milwaukee Bucks trade rumors have been coming in hot, with the deadline a little over two weeks away. The latest came from Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico, who reports that the Bucks are among the teams interested in acquiring Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards.

Hachimura is averaging 13 points. 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists for the Wizards this season and is viewed as a hot trade candidate.

Instant reaction to Milwaukee Bucks’ captivating interest in Rui Hachimura

Hachimura would be a home run acquisition for the Bucks, considering their current needs and some of the other available targets. Jae Crowder is one of the most commonly brought-up trade targets for the Bucks right now.

Crowder has been linked to the Bucks for months, for good reasons. The Bucks have needed a hard-nosed defensive player that brings toughness to that end of the floor since they controversially allowed P.J. Tucker to leave in free agency.

Hachimura can bring just as much to the Bucks as Crowder can. Like Crowder, Hachimura possesses the size, athleticism, and physicality to make an impact defensively. The most significant difference between the two is that Crowder is more easily switchable onto smaller defenders than Hachimura.

That should not automatically turn you away from Hachimura, though. Although not able to switch onto all positions like Crowder, Hachimura is still an excellent defender on forwards and centers. When guarding forwards this season, Hachimura has been spectacular, holding them to 28 percent from the field and 20.9 percent from three, per NBA.com/stats.

Hachimura hasn’t always been known as an elite defender, but he has made an effort to become one this season, which would help Milwaukee tremendously. Thinking back to the playoffs last season, Jayson Tatum almost single-handedly demolished the Bucks’ defense.

The Bucks tried a lot of different matchups on Tatum, but Boston either got switched into a mismatch or exploited Tatum’s superior size on his defender. Hachimura is the same height as Tatum and, with a 7’2″ wingspan, will, at the very least, make shots challenging for Tatum.

Jayson Tatum is not Milwaukee’s only defensive concern. Still, with defensively solid guards like Jrue Holiday, Jevon Carter, and Wesley Matthews, defensive matchups on guards should always be fine. Adding Hachimura to the mix adds a solid defender for an opposing team when a forward or center is a go-to guy.

Hachimura can also space the floor with a quality mid-range game and a capable 3-point shooter. He’s only shooting 33.7 percent from three this season, but his career percentage is 35.5 percent, which will undoubtedly play based on his role. Factoring in the open looks that should be there with him playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, those numbers should go up in Milwaukee.

Hachimura’s age should make him an intriguing target for fans. At age 24, a player still has plenty of room for growth. He will be a restricted free agent in the offseason, which puts the ball in Milwaukee’s court if they have him in their plans. If he is a part of the organization’s future, adding Hachimura would be tremendous for the Bucks.

Stay tuned for more coverage of the Milwaukee Bucks and the upcoming trade deadline as news continues coming in fast.