We are well into NBA trade season, and Bleacher Report mocked a deal between the Milwaukee Bucks and San Antonio Spurs that would spell disaster for the Bucks' hopes of keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo long-term. Let's break it down.
Bucks move pieces and valuable pick in horrific move
This move would be horrendous on all fronts for Milwaukee. Jeremy Sochan arrives in Wisconsin in exchange for Gary Harris, Amir Coffey, and a valuable 2031 first-round pick swap.
Both players are more than movable for the Milwaukee Bucks, as neither has found true consistency or a rotation spot. However, the pick is far too valuable for Milwaukee, considering their lack of draft capital. The only way that pick is traded is if it gets the team a true difference maker. Sochan just isn't that.
The 22-year-old is averaging 5.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on shooting splits of .494/.269/.688 in 15.9 minutes per game. Granted, the wing is a terrific defender, and that is something the Bucks have been in desperate need of, but his lack of an offensive game will cause the team more issues.
Harris was a bit of an odd man out signing this offseason with the Bucks heading down the route of younger, more athletic players. He has surprised in moments and shown his value. Still, with Doc Rivers struggling to find lineup continuity, Harris recently played 32 minutes against Boston, followed by just six minutes against Brooklyn.
The addition of Coffey was well-received by the fanbase, with him displaying an ability to hit shots and defend on the perimeter during his time with the Clippers. Having averaged over 20 minutes in the previous two seasons, Coffey is currently averaging just 7.9 minutes in Milwaukee, totaling 159 minutes across 20 games this season.
Both players are fine trade bait, but the pick is too valuable for the Bucks.
If the team is truly trying to convince Giannis to stay, this move would do the complete opposite. Sochan has potential, but the team does not need him right now, and the price to get him is too high.
Bucks Grade: D
San Antonio is arguably well ahead of schedule, with their young core fighting their way to the NBA Cup Final and the second seed out West with a 21-7 record. All of this has been with Victor Wembanyama missing large periods of time, so it is hard to gauge where they are in the trade market.
With just the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of them, there is no real need for the Spurs to go all in for this season, but they also may feel they are just a move or two away from toppling the reigning champions.
The Spurs would clearly win this trade, bringing in two cheap contracts and a valuable pick swap, in exchange for a forward who has now found himself out of the rotation. That pick can then provide value in a trade later down the line as they look to bring in further star power to pair with Wembanyama. It would be a great deal were they to convince Milwaukee to buy in on Sochan's defense, while finding a way to use Harris or Coffey to their benefit.
Spurs Grade: A-
Do the Bucks need help at the wing position? Absolutely. This trade, however, is far too much for a player who can add defense but not offense. Milwaukee may as well use Andre Jackson Jr. in that role and look to pull off a bigger season-changing move should they be willing to move that 2031 first-round pick.
It is a move that would only spell disaster in the Bucks' attempts to keep Giannis, and Jon Horst would likely hang up the phone on this offer.