The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly eyeing a couple of trade targets they have been linked to in the past several years, but one name, Dillon Brooks, was not mentioned. As the Bucks scramble to make this roster fit, Brooks is a name they should have circled. They clearly feel like he could help this unit, as they expressed interest in him a few years back.
Bucks need to put in an offer on Dillon Brooks
Currently, per NBA insider Jake Fischer (subscription required), two names the Bucks have checked in on this year are Zach LaVine and Jerami Grant. There has been smoke about those two being targets for Milwaukee for years. Either player would make some sense, but they don't fit the bill for what this team needs as much as Dillon Brooks would.
On a previous episode of Through the Wire, insider Shams Charania reported that the Bucks were among teams interested in Brooks when he was destined to leave the Memphis Grizzlies a handful of years back. Brooks would have made sense then, and he certainly would make sense now, as there is clearly a lack of reliable small forward depth on this Milwaukee roster.
Rich Paul said it best on a recent episode of Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul. "If there's a team out there that can go and get Dillon Brooks that actually has a chance to win a championship, they should... You want that guy on your team." If the Milwaukee Bucks want to turn things around, Brooks is the type of player who could give them a massive spark.
The appeal with Brooks is clear. He's made a living in the NBA as a tenacious defender, taking on the most difficult matchup night in and night out. At 6-foot-7, he has the build, athleticism, and quickness to cycle between different positions constantly. The Milwaukee Bucks could use him for that alone, let alone the fact that he's also averaging 21.6 points per game this season.
As mentioned, Milwaukee's small forward depth is depleted. Taurean Prince is done for the season. Amir Coffey has become an afterthought. AJ Green is hurt. Kyle Kuzma is a natural power forward. Gary Trent Jr. is trying to do everything by himself. This team needs someone who can hold down the small forward spot as a true small forward. Dillon Brooks is exactly that.
Brooks has earned a reputation as a "pest" and "nuisance" largely due to his antics. Sure, some can interpret it that way, but really, he's a spark. He plays with energy and intensity that few other players have in tow. For a Milwaukee Bucks team that has been playing like they're stuck in quicksand, they could use an energetic enforcer.
LaVine and Grant wouldn't be nearly as exciting. Brooks is someone who could make a legitimate difference for this team and not be a significant overpay financially. He's currently making $21 million this year, while Grant is at $32, and LaVine is at $46. It's unclear what the Suns might want, but if the Bucks are bringing up old targets, Dillon Brooks is absolutely someone they should call about.
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