Eric Nehm of The Athletic just proposed a trade that perfectly encapsulates what's wrong with Milwaukee's approach to fixing this roster: Amir Coffey and Jericho Sims to Dallas for Caleb Martin.
On the surface, this looks like the Bucks upgrading from end-of-bench pieces to a proven rotation player. In reality, it's trading away two players who actually provide value for one guy who doesn't address any of Milwaukee's real problems.
Caleb Martin would cause problems as quickly as he solves them
Let's start with what the Bucks would be giving up.
Let's not belabor the point for the first name. Coffey has barely played this season, so losing him isn't devastating. It was an experiment that didn't work out. The Bucks have clearly moved on, and they're not wrong to do so. But while Gary Harris has taken his spot, his size and defense at the wing position are still decent depth to have in the event of injury.
But the bigger piece is in Jericho Sims, who, even despite the surprise emergence of Pete Nance, is a rim-protecting, athletic big man who's shown legitimate chemistry with Giannis Antetokounmpo when given opportunities. Trading him means Milwaukee's back to relying on Bobby Portis and Myles Turner exclusively at center, which is exactly the situation that's already failing.
That's not to mention those defensive rating numbers when Giannis and Sims shared the floor. It's well documented that Antetokounmpo and Sims together, while not the best offensive pairing in the world, have historically been an elite defensive duo thanks to their shared size and mobility. Once upon a time, the Bucks registered a defensive rating of 88.9 points given up per 100 possessions when Antetokounmpo and Sims shared the floor together, according to PBP Stats.
Let's look at the return. Martin's a fine player. He's a solid 3-and-D guy who can guard multiple positions and knock down open shots. But he's not solving Milwaukee's perimeter defense problems that get them torched by elite wings. He's not providing the backup center minutes they desperately need. He's just another guy who's okay at everything without being great at anything.
The Bucks are essentially downgrading their frontcourt depth (losing Sims) and getting rid of a camp signing who never panned out (Coffey) for a marginally better version of players already on their roster. Martin isn't significantly better than Taurean Prince or even Kyle Kuzma on his good nights.
What makes this trade particularly frustrating is that it represents the kind of lateral move Milwaukee keeps making instead of addressing fundamental problems. They need elite perimeter defense, and while he's no slouch on that end, Martin isn't that. They need reliable bench scoring. Martin provides some, but not at a game-changing level.
Dallas would be thrilled with this deal. They get a legitimate backup center in Sims who can protect the rim and provide energy, plus a wing in Coffey who might actually contribute given real opportunities. All they're giving up is Martin, a player whose role has shrunk as Dallas found better options.
If the Bucks are going to trade Sims, the return needs to be someone who dramatically improves a specific weakness. Martin is not that player. He's a replacement-level starter or solid bench piece, not someone worth sacrificing the best backup center option Milwaukee has. And at the end of the day, Martin's just isn't the kind of name that would keep Giannis Antetokounmpo in town, no matter how you spin it.
Grade: C+
This trade makes the Milwaukee Bucks marginally better on paper while making them significantly worse in the areas that actually matter. Losing Sims' rim protection and chemistry with Giannis for Caleb Martin's okay wing defense and decent 3-point shooting is bad asset management.