Grade The Trade: Bucks add sharpshooting guard in this mock with Pacers
By Dalton Sell
The verdict on this trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers
This may seem like a lot to give up for Buddy Hield, but his contract puts the Bucks in a tough spot when it comes to piecing together a deal.
The combined salaries of Connaughton and Allen alone fall about $930,000 short of matching the $18.6 million on Hield’s contract. Milwaukee would have to add another piece, which would likely be one of their young players. It certainly wouldn’t be MarJon Beauchamp, and after trading up to get him in the draft, it seems unlikely that they would part with Andre Jackson Jr.
That makes Livingston the odd man out. Given that contract they handed him, the Bucks would likely want to hang onto Livingston. In this framework, that’s just not possible. Would they even consider swapping out Connaughton and Livingston for Bobby Portis, whose salary would match Hield’s alongside Allen alone? It’s something for Milwaukee to ponder.
It would ultimately be a lot to give up to get Hield, but it’s what would be required, although the Milwaukee Bucks could fight about the inclusion of the second rounder. This deal would free up several roster spots for the Bucks, giving them a chance to patch up some other holes, such as their vacant backup point guard position, which would be an added bonus.
Regardless, this writer might lean toward something along the lines of Allen and Portis for Hield to keep a very versatile wing in Connaughton, a nice young piece in Livingston, and a second rounder.
BTBP Grade: B- (It’s a lot to give up, but the Bucks do get better on impact)
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Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis and Buddy Hield trade talk.