The Stein Line's Marc Stein (subscription required) reports that the Milwaukee Bucks are "engaged" with Bennedict Mathurin's representatives on a deal. While adding the guard would give Milwaukee yet another talented young piece, it would also pile onto their ongoing guard conundrum, given the talented assortment of backcourt players already on the payroll.
Another guard? With this roster?
It's been discussed ad nauseam this offseason, but the Milwaukee Bucks' backcourt is crowded. After the highly touted trio of Tyler Herro, Ryan Rollins, and Kevin Porter Jr., who will all be in competition to start, the team also has Brayden Burries, AJ Green, Gary Trent Jr., Kasparas Jakucionis, and even the veteran Caris LeVert. That's a lot of mouths to feed; some would argue too many.
The Bucks want to add yet another up-and-coming guard who needs the ball in his hands to that mix? Sure, at the start of this rebuild/retooling, Milwaukee should look to house as much talent as possible and go from there. No one could fault them for that, but if that is their approach, it would make more sense to go all-in on a player at a weaker position, such as forward—where they are still options.
Adding Mathruin would only clog the jam further, making it more difficult for youngsters such as the star-bound Brayden Burries or quietly important Kasparas Jakucionis, who already face uphill climbs to make it into the rotation regularly, to play.
The only way Mathurin makes sense
If the Milwaukee Bucks could acquire Mathurin while clearing out some guard talent at the same time, this idea would make more sense. Given the abundance of guards, AJ Green has been speculated as a trade target due to his value. The Bucks would probably pounce on the opportunity to move LeVert. Kevin Porter Jr. would quietly have some suitors if he became available for trade.
Given that this would be a sign-and-trade agreement to send Mathurin to Milwaukee, the Bucks would have to move something. The LA Clippers, to whom the guard could also rejoin, per Stein, would want pick compensation over players, in all likelihood, but nothing is set in stone. If the Bucks traded one or two of their non-building-block guards, perhaps the wheels could get turning faster.
There is no telling how they will put the finishing touches in what has been a busy summer, but it appears like Milwaukee wants to make at least one more move.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
Add us as a preferred source on Google