"We always manage to pull something off," a team source reportedly told ESPN's Jamal Collier about the Milwaukee Bucks' confidence in making a roster-altering move. Everyone knows how desperate this team is as the February 5 NBA Trade Deadline approaches. As desperate as they are, the Bucks have not made a move in recent weeks despite clearly needing it.
If they can't get something done soon and hold out closer to the deadline to make a deal, there's a good chance no one could salvage their season, given their poor record. If there was ever a time to make a season-saving move, it's while the team's head is still somewhat above water. Not when the ship has already sunk.
Bucks' may need to enact roster shakeup soon to save ugly season
From December 22 to January 4, it looked like the Milwaukee Bucks were trending upward. They put together a 5-2 record in that stretch. However, that was an incredibly soft schedule. Over the last five games, where they've played harder competition, Milwaukee is 1-4, digging themselves into a deeper hole as they sit at 11th in the East, currently out of the Play-In Tournament.
With games against formidable foes like the OKC Thunder and Boston Celtics, as well as teams that have already beaten the Bucks this season, such as Denver, Philadelphia, and Washington, coming up, Milwaukee's playoff hopes could be crushed by the time they reach the deadline. The 17-24 Bucks are entering what could be a do-or-die stretch. With this roster, that's a scary realization.
The Milwaukee Bucks need to act fast. Yes, they always seem to pull a rabbit out of a hat in trade talks, but they haven't faced as much pressure as they do now. In past years, they were a playoff lock. This year, they are far closer to having a top 10 pick in the NBA Draft. They don't have the luxury of being able to wait right up until the NBA Trade Deadline buzzer.
Interestingly enough, the Milwaukee Bucks have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off before they play their next game, a matchup against the Hawks they absolutely need to win. If they were going to go through a roster shakeup, having plenty of time off between to integrate new pieces into the fold could be incredibly useful.
Of course, all trades are a two-way street. Opposing teams also have to agree on any deal the Bucks make, so Milwaukee's front office isn't entirely on the hook. However, they can certainly do their part to scour the market and be as aggressive as possible to get the wheels turning. With their season hanging in the balance, it would only make sense to act fast.
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