The Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings are reportedly talking about trades. Per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the two sides have had exploratory talks on a move centered on swapping Bobby Portis and an unnamed minimum-contract player for Keon Ellis and Malik Monk. It feels safe to think that Cole Anthony would be the minimum player heading elsewhere in this scenario.
Bucks should look to shed Anthony in this rumored trade
Let's analyze Milwaukee's minimum contract players. Gary Harris has been a surprisingly good piece the Bucks should look to keep. Taurean Prince is likely out for the rest of the year. Amir Coffey is out of the rotation but is needed depth at small forward. Thanasis Antetokounmpo isn't going anywhere. Andre Jackson Jr. could make sense, but not more than Cole Anthony.
Given that the Milwaukee Bucks are bringing in two capable ball-handlers, keeping Anthony, who is the break glass in case of emergency point guard right now, would feel redundant. The Kings may be willing to take Anthony on as well, given that acquiring him would help replenish some of their own guard depth after trading these two away.
It's been a turbulent season for Anthony, who started the year hot but was benched upon the return of Kevin Porter Jr. However, even if he's not in Milwaukee's rotation, he could help a team needy in the guard department right now. As he showed in spurts with the Bucks, he's capable of shooting the ball from deep and handling passing duties as a second-unit orchestrator.
On the other side of things, what does this deal do for the Milwaukee Bucks? They get a strong scorer in Monk and a stout defender in Ellis. Losing Portis would be a significant change, but one that feels inevitable one way or another. Trading him without getting a big man in return feels quite risky, but the Bucks could always make a corresponding move to fill the void in the frontcourt.
There's no telling if this is a move the Milwaukee Bucks will pursue before the trade deadline. Rumors indicate they are calling every team to discuss every player, so this surely isn't the only deal they are talking about. However, it's the only one that has been reported. It's not a perfect deal, but the Bucks could do worse if this is the move they make in the next few weeks.
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