Some may think the Milwaukee Bucks roster is fine as it is and that the Bucks don’t need to make any trades. However, that will not stop speculation or wondering if the Bucks could try to convert some of their depth for some higher impact pieces for the top of the rotation with the new coaching staff under Head Coach Adrian Griffin.
There was recently a trade suggestion from Dan Favale of Bleacher Report that the Milwaukee Bucks could trade Pat Connaughton, Grayson Allen, and a first round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Bogdan Bogdanovic. What other two-for-one-player trades could the Milwaukee Bucks look to do?
Obviously, the Milwaukee Bucks aren’t trading any of the Big 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez. Let’s also assume MarJon Beauchamp is off the table if the Milwaukee Bucks weren’t willing to include him in a deal for Bradley Beal but assume everyone else is available for a two-for-one trade; what packages could the Bucks come up with to bolster the roster?
Milwaukee Bucks 2-for-1 trade scenario one: Bucks get their backup point guard
In this scenario, the Milwaukee Bucks get Cole Anthony, a young point guard who has had a bit of an inconsistent usage in his first three years with the Orlando Magic. Anthony immediately slides in behind Jrue Holiday into the backup point guard spot, a strong position of need for the Milwaukee Bucks, who get younger in the process. Cole Anthony is also an excellent free throw shooter, 86.1 percent for his career, and has improved his 3-point percentage every season since being drafted.
Goga Bitadze is a big man that can take up space and eat some minutes in relief of the Lopez brothers should the Bucks decide not to bring back Meyers Leonard.
The Orlando Magic get Grayson Allen in return, with two expiring contracts going out and one expiring contract coming back, while giving the Orlando Magic a player who they know what role he would play. It seems Orlando has struggled with that in years past, including Cole Anthony. In acquiring Grayson Allen, they also get to keep the financial flexibility they will have after this season.
Milwaukee Bucks 2-for-1 trade scenario two: Bucks condense depth for scoring
In this deal, the Milwaukee Bucks would trade their shooting guard depth in exchange for a scoring shooting guard who would fit flawlessly alongside the other starters in their lineup. The Bucks would bring Norman Powell full circle back to the team that drafted him to slot his scoring next to the Bucks’ Big 4.
During the 2022-23 season, Norman Powell averaged 17 points per game on 47.9 percent field goal shooting, 39.7 percent 3-point shooting, and 81.2 percent at the free throw line.
Norman Powell would be great playing off the ball alongside Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Last season on catch-and-shoot opportunities, Norman Powell shot 41.4 percent on field goals and a strong 42.6 percent on 3-point shots.
For the Clippers, this deal offers them the opportunity to add some shooters on their roster alongside Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook and a chance to build some wing depth and possibly make some other trades with players on expiring contracts for depth at other positions.
Grayson Allen shot 39.9 percent on 3-point attempts last year, and Pat Connaughton had a bit of a down year last year dealing with injury but is a career 35.9 percent 3-point shooter. Connaughton also has been a successful post-season player with the Milwaukee Bucks, something the Los Angeles Clippers have desperately looking for.
Milwaukee Bucks 2-for-1 trade scenario three: another depth for a scoring deal
This potential trade is broken down in detail here. However, this trade needs to be brought up in a conversation about potential two-for-one deals the Milwaukee Bucks could look to execute. This deal right away would make the Milwaukee Bucks younger and faster while admittedly sacrificing some defense.
However, not only could Collin Sexton be the Milwaukee Bucks starting shooting guard, but he could also serve as the Bucks’ backup point guard. Should Adrian Griffin be as interested in giving MarJon Beauchamp a ton of playing time this season, he could substitute the sophomore for Sexton early and then put Sexton back in the game in relief of Jrue Holiday.
Collin Sexton is a great shooter off the dribble, one thing that the departure of Jevon Carter takes with him. Last season on pull-up shots, Sexton shot 47.1 percent on field goals and 46.5 percent on 3-point shots, per NBA.com. These two aspects would help the Milwaukee Bucks’ half-court offense immensely, something they struggled with during the playoff series with Miami.
The Milwaukee Bucks sacrifice depth in this deal, and the Utah Jazz get some depth back after their deals at the deadline with the Los Angeles Lakers and in the off-season with the Atlanta Hawks.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.