The Bucks almost went in a different direction at 2023 NBA Trade Deadline
By Dalton Sell
For several months leading up to the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline in February, the Milwaukee Bucks made it clear that Jae Crowder was their top target.
After a lengthy pursuit that included Crowder being traded twice, the Bucks finally got their guy in the closing hours before the deadline. One could spend all day talking about how things went after the trade, but that is not the topic at hand. While Crowder was Milwaukee’s main focus, it appears that they explored other avenues and almost went in another direction entirely.
The Bucks almost went in a different direction at 2023 NBA Trade Deadline
Per Yahoo Sports’ insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks considered trading their 2029 first round pick to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic. The veteran forward was deemed one of the most desirable pieces on the trade market leading up to the deadline, so Milwaukee’s interest makes sense. Ultimately, the team kept their first round pick, and Bogdanovic stayed in Detroit.
Bogdanovic was not the only offensive-minded target the Bucks reportedly had their eyes on, as they were linked to Toronto’s Fred VanVleet as well. The Atheltic’s Shams Charania reported that the Bucks made several offers for the guard, but the Raptors ultimately decided to keep him. It’s fascinating to think about what this team would have looked like with VanVleet on it. It’s not clear why the move did not go down, but it would have been a major boost for the Bucks.
Fans can debate all day whether or not the Bucks made the right move by trading for Jae Crowder over either of these two. At the time, Crowder was viewed as a quality addition, but things never got off the ground in Milwaukee, as the veteran played a minimal role. One can only wonder how things would have played out for the team if they boosted their offense at the deadline rather than their defense. For eternity, it will only be regarded as a “what if,” and a significant one at that.
It’ll be interesting to see if either of those players will be on Milwaukee’s radar this off-season as the team looks to improve the roster.
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