Jaime Jaquez Jr. finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting and can bring something different to the Milwaukee Bucks this year. Yet, The Athletic's Sam Vecenie spoke on the Game Theory Podcast about how playing alongside stretch bigs Myles Turner and Kel'el Ware could increase his value should Milwaukee aim to trade him at the trade deadline.
"I might trade him at the deadline. You have two guys at the center position who can really shoot, which allows you to play a funky, inverted offense with Jaquez and you could build up his value."
Bucks can increase Jaquez's value by playing him with stretch bigs
If the Bucks want to move Jaquez, this would make sense. He is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and his extension is projected around four-years, $78 million, which is fine for the production but really depends on whether you move him into the starting lineup or feel he is still better off the bench.
As an inverted wing who likes to get physical driving to the basket, playing him at the three or four alongside Turner or Ware would really play to his strengths. Last season, he averaged 15.4 points, five rebounds and 4.7 assists. He only shot 31.7 percent from deep, as it clearly isn't his game, but that is where the Bucks can play to his strengths with the shooting bigs they now have.
Driving up that value will always be key for any potential trade candidate, and Jaquez is different from many. At just 25 and entering his final year, teams would not only be acquiring him for this season but could also have control over his future if they have the financial flexibility to offer him an extension.
It would be nice to see Jaquez stick around in Milwaukee, but if the right offer came along, the front office would almost have to listen.
Bucks can be big players in moves this season
Milwaukee's financial wiggle room has already been a talking point in Peyton Watson sign-and-trade rumors, with the Bucks still having to make moves this summer to cut down their roster to 15 standard contracts. Ryan Rollins is another name outsiders have mentioned as a potential trade chip, despite how unlikely it seems the Bucks would move on from him so soon.
For the time being, Jaquez, due to his age and contract, could be the biggest uncertainty in trades.
We are yet to see Jaquez in a Bucks jersey, so it is difficult to see how he functions. On paper, with Turner and Ware stretching the floor, it could really elevate the wing's game and increase his potential trade value. He would also bring in a decent return if the Bucks moved him at the deadline. Let's see how it plays out.
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