A report from Sam Amick and The Athletic NBA staff on Friday revealed some intriguing details behind the Milwaukee Bucks' potential trade deadline plans. According to the report, the Bucks have interest in trading for the Charlotte Hornets' Miles Bridges, but a potential deal is being prevented due to the fact that the Hornets don't have interest in Kyle Kuzma.
If true, this is certainly disappointing for Bucks fans to hear, but also not all that surprising. Kuzma hasn't been playing his best basketball since he arrived in Milwaukee, and making a move to trade him away was always going to present some sort of challenge. If they were going to get another team to take him, they were likely always going to have to attach draft capital or additional assets.
Conveniently, that's reportedly another stipulation Charlotte would have in any potential deal they might make to trade Bridges away. Hornets General Manager Jeff Peterson supposedly wants one or two first-round draft picks in exchange for number zero. But again, this is all null and void for the fact that Charlotte simply doesn't want Kuzma, draft picks or no draft picks.
It's unfortunate, because whether Milwaukee would be willing to surrender those first-rounders or not, Bridges would be a big boost for this team. He's a strong three-level scorer and most importantly, brings an element of athleticism that no one on the Bucks' roster not named Giannis Antetokounmpo can claim.
The Hornets don't want to trade for Kyle Kuzma
Kuzma, for all his positive attributes, isn't a better basketball player than Miles Bridges. The Hornets wing brings higher-level passing ability, a stronger overall shot profile, and more consistent two-way impact within a defined offensive role.
For Milwaukee, this is just the kind of pivot you would like to make to bring a bit more youth and athleticism to your locker room. This fanbase has talked about the lack of athleticism on the roster for years, and this would be the type of player who could begin to reverse that trend, and give Giannis another teammate he can throw a lob up to.
It makes sense why Charlotte wouldn't be willing to budge. They're currently trending in the right direction, holding a 7-1 record when their ideal starting lineup is on the floor. They wouldn't be willing to shake things up unless it was for a can't-miss player, which Kuzma unfortunately is not.
So if the Bucks are truly set on acquiring Bridges, it's clear that they're going to have to be calling the Hornets offering more than just Kuzma. They'll need a highly compelling offer if they're to pull something like this off.