A bonkers 4-team mock trade that sees Bucks land defensive pest, lose starter

The Milwaukee Bucks are contacting just about everyone in the NBA in an effort to make an early deal amid their slow start.

With so many teams on their recent call list, perhaps general manager Jon Horst could look to rope in several parties. That said, let us pitch a hypothetical four-team deal that would see the Bucks address one of their most prominent issues while also possibly satisfying three other NBA teams.

• Bucks get Marcus Smart

• Grizzlies get Jordan Clarkson and Jarred Vanderbilt

• Lakers get Brook Lopez

• Jazz get D'Angelo Russell and 2025 Second Round pick via Lakers

Milwaukee Bucks' POV

The Milwaukee Bucks need defense. Marcus Smart, someone they have checked in on before, is one of the most formidable guard defenders in the entire NBA. The 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year is the definition of a pest, and despite standing at 6-foot-3, he can match up with players of all shapes and sizes, as evidenced by his many meetings against Giannis and the Bucks when he was in Boston.

The prominent concern with Smart is his recent injury history. He played just 20 games last year and has been limited to five this season. On a Bucks team that is already dealing with injury woes with star Khris Middleton, adding another player with a troubling string of injuries could be problematic. Still, given just how bad the Milwaukee Bucks' defense has been, it could very well be worth the gamble.

To match Smart's salary, the Bucks would be forced to give up Brook Lopez. His absence would leave Milwaukee with a massive hole in the lineup, as they'd be without a clear starting center. With Lopez nearing 37 years old and his lack of athleticism hurting the team, though, swapping him out for an excellent guard defender may make sense if they can find another serviceable center.

Memphis Grizzlies' POV

Largely due to the injuries, Smart's pairing with the Grizzlies has not gone according to plan. If they want to wipe the slate clean and add a pair of impact pieces that could assist them in making some noise, this could perhaps help. Clarkson is one of the best reserve scorers in the entire NBA, having a Sixth Man of the Year award to show for it, and Vanderbilt is an impressive perimeter defender.

Clarkson could give Memphis more scoring in the second unit to alleviate pressure off of other stars, such as Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. Although he's currently recovering from offseason surgery, Vanderbilt could form a lethal one-two defensive punch next to Jaren Jackson Jr. when he's healthy. Clarkson and Vanderbilt could give the Grizzlies a boost on both ends of the basketball.

Los Angeles Lakers' POV

Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, Brook Lopez is on the "internal board" of trade targets for the Lakers, and they are willing to move D'Angelo Russell. This mock trade would see them do both, moving on from the guard to land a perfect center to pair with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Landing the defensive-minded big man would showcase the Lakers' desire to go all-in on this season.

Lopez would fit seamlessly in this Lakers lineup, as the floor spacing he has provided alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo over the years would translate well next to Anthony Davis, another big man who isn't much of a shooter. Furthermore, defensively, Lopez and Davis would be a terrifying duo for anyone brave enough to drive into the lane.

As for the outgoing parts, the Lakers are more than willing to trade Russell, as mentioned. To get off his salary, they could entice Utah with a second-rounder. Given that Russell is on an expiring contract, it's a reasonable offer. Even with the injury concerns, losing Vanderbilt might sting, but swapping him out for an excellent interior defender of Brook Lopez's caliber could be well worth it.

Utah Jazz's POV

Utah is a team that should be looking to stack as many draft picks as possible. Russell and a pick may not be the most exciting return for Clarkson, but it would give them another draft selection that could be added to their war chest. Russell's contract will also be coming off the books this summer, so they would have more wiggle room financially.

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