As the trade deadline edges ever closer, rumors continue to run rampant about the Milwaukee Bucks and what they might do. Stars are constantly cropping up as names the team is targeting, but perhaps their biggest need is not what everyone thinks, and they should aim to strengthen the bench.
Bucks should add to their bench instead of trading for a star
Trae Young is the latest star to be circling the rumor mill, with a plethora of teams reported to be interested in the guard. Milwaukee is not officially one of those teams, but regardless, adding Young would take away from the guards that are playing well. Defense is another area that still needs work, another thing the Atlanta Hawks guard wouldn't help with.
Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. have made a really strong backcourt pairing. Rollins has developed into a great facilitator and is exceptional defensively, while Porter adds much-needed shot creation to a roster that is lacking that skill set. Adding a star guard would, in turn, reduce the role of these two guards, likely meaning the Bucks would give up some size as well, hurting the frontcourt too.
Lately, the Bucks' starting five of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, and AJ Green, with the two guards, has been brilliant, boasting a +59 rating when on the court together. This is the third-highest in the NBA among lineups that have played 100 minutes together.
The real dropoff for the Bucks is when Giannis sits, which we all expected would be the case. Adding a star would dispel some of that, but disrupting a starting lineup that is working right now would also backfire, with the Bucks still needing to improve their depth.
To match the money for someone like Young or Zach LaVine, Milwaukee would have to give up Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis to match the finances. The problem with this is that the Bucks' frontcourt and wing area are lacking depth. Dismantling that further would increase the problems that already exist.
Kuzma and Portis play far better off the bench, but they do have frustrating performances in them. Gary Trent Jr. has disappointed so far this season, and adding a wing player to the bench with some offensive punch and solid defense would improve the team greatly. It would also mean they wouldn't have to give up so much to add a player, and that includes the valuable 2031 first-round pick.
Jon Horst has never shied away from making a big move, so a star being added could very well be in the works. However, right now, the Bucks' starting lineup is working; the bench just needs work, and adding further depth will bolster their chances of getting to where they aim to be.