This past summer, the Milwaukee Bucks seemed disinterested in acquiring a clear-cut No. 2 next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now, with so many rumors swirling about their potential interest in names such as Ja Morant and many more, it appears they've changed their tune. It makes some sense, as they've been downright awful when Giannis sits and need someone to fix that.
Bucks need someone to help run the show when Giannis sits
When Giannis is on the floor, the Bucks are a great team. Per Cleaning the Glass, they outscore their opponents by 10.7 points per 100 possessions when Giannis is out there. However, when he sits, they don't just regress. They nosedive. When he sits, opponents outscore the Bucks by 10.8 points per 100 possessions. That massive swing has plagued the Bucks again and again this season.
The Bucks don't have a clear-cut second option. Kevin Porter Jr. has largely risen to the occasion, but his ability to run the show when Giannis sits clearly isn't working out. Ditto for Ryan Rollins. Those two are great, but they play their best with Giannis. That's why the Milwaukee Bucks are scanning the trade market for someone who can help run the show when the Greek Freak catches his breath.
By no means is Ja Morant a seamless fit, but the Milwaukee Bucks clearly think he could be of use in that regard. Although the guard is currently in a down year, he has shown the type of offense he can bring to the table, averaging over 23 points per game in each of the prior four seasons. Staggering Morant and Antetokounmpo could give the Bucks' offense a go-to option at all times.
If that's the goal, one could argue that Morant isn't the best fit. There's a reason the Bucks have also been linked to Zach LaVine and Michael Porter Jr. They fit better with what Milwaukee is looking for from a height and offensive perspective. However, cost and how much each target might go for will also be a determining factor here. One could argue Morant will be the most easily attainable.
No matter who they target, the Milwaukee Bucks cannot stand pat. The current plan of night and day production when Giannis plays versus when he sits isn't going to cut it. It's only going to burn him out before the Bucks know it. They might not be able to afford to wait. If Morant is the all-in target for the Milwaukee Bucks, so be it. He might not solve all of their major issues, but he could help the offense.
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