If the Milwaukee Bucks trade for Ja Morant, which multiple reports suggest they have an interest in doing over the next several weeks, they will need some size. Morant would make a small team even smaller, and that's exactly why Milwaukee should look to acquire GG Jackson II from the Memphis Grizzlies in any Morant deal.
GG Jackson II could help fill out Bucks' rotation in a Ja Morant trade
To match what's left of Morant's $39.4 million salary this year, the Milwaukee Bucks would likely aim to put Bobby Portis and Kyle Kuzma in trade talks. The team is already smaller than their opponents on most nights, so losing 6-foot-9 Bobby Portis and 6-foot-8 Kyle Kuzma would only increase the issue and give the Bucks even more nightly headaches.
In the event that those two Bucks, among other pieces, are shipped out, Milwaukee would be left with just Giannis Antetokounmpo, Myles Turner, and Jericho Sims as players over 6-foot-8. Sure, the Bucks could look to promote two-way big man Pete Nance to a more prominent role to help fill the gaps, but even then, getting a player like GG Jackson II in a trade could help mightily.
Jackson II, standing at 6-foot-9, is a true power forward. He's found himself declining in playing time over the last two seasons, but he just turned 21, so he's got plenty of untapped potential. During his rookie season, the only year he played a legitimate role, he averaged 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.1 3-point makes per game en route to an All-Rookie selection.
If the Milwaukee Bucks could get their hands on a player like that, it would certainly make a trade for Ja Morant far more appealing. Morant would create the most headlines, but a player like Jackson II could end up being an underrated and necessary pickup.
The Milwaukee Bucks have a well-regarded recent history with players being throw-ins via trade. This isn't to compare the two, but remember when the Bucks snagged Khris Middleton, who was simply in the trade to make the money work, for Brandon Jennings back in the day? That certainly worked out well for Milwaukee. Sometimes, all a player needs is a change of scenery and an opportunity.
Of course, all of this will boil down to how serious Milwaukee's rumored interest in trading for Morant truly is. Time will tell, and they've got a few weeks to make a firm decision.
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