The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly not the only team looking to make an early-season trade to beef up their roster.
Per ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, the Indiana Pacers are scouring the market for a backup center after losing both James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson to Achilles injuries. The trade-eager Bucks do indeed have a backup big man they could entertain in trade talks, but it wouldn't come cheap to their division rival.
The Bucks and Pacers have interesting pieces for one another
Bobby Portis has found himself firmly lodged in trade talks this season. Part of that has to do with the second apron restrictions and how Portis' decent contract is one of Milwaukee's few paths to landing a meaningful upgrade. Another part has to do with Portis struggling to start the year, with his lack of athleticism and defensive chops plaguing this Milwaukee Bucks team.
Portis still has some good basketball in him, which he's shown over the past two contests. In this run, he's averaged 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Despite these impressive numbers from the big man, there are still questions regarding his lack of athleticism and defense that may hinder his production moving forward, especially on the big stage.
The Pacers, who might not need Portis' athleticism or defense as much as a reliable big body who can put points on the board in a hurry, would likely love to have him. However, if the Bucks were to even entertain trading the backup to a division rival, a deal would have to involve Aaron Nesmith or Jarace Walker coming to Milwaukee.
Nesmith, 25, is the more polished of the two. He's come into his own as a do-it-all wing, shooting the ball, playing defense and even facilitating at a high level. He possesses a great amount of athleticism that would help him fit seamlessly on Milwaukee's bench and continue the recent trend of Doc Rivers relying on young, energetic youngsters more and more.
While he has been sidelined since November 1 with an ankle injury, he is expected to return to action soon, so it is not a long-term concern.
Walker is far more raw and much more of an unknown. Selected eighth overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, many pegged Walker as one of the most versatile defenders in the class. The 21-year-old hasn't fully lived up to that status, but the potential is there. The Bucks, always needy for defense, would likely embrace the idea of adding a player with this much upside to their ongoing youth movement.
Just because these two are division rivals does not mean a trade should be off the table. The Pacers helped the Bucks in 2023 when they made the trade for Jae Crowder, taking on three players to help clear room for Milwaukee. Of course, the Bucks had to cough up a few second-round picks, but the fact that Indiana was still willing to help out shows that these front offices can indeed cooperate.
Depending on just how desperate Indiana is, perhaps they could call the Bucks for negotiations.
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