The Milwaukee Bucks' trade for Kyle Kuzma is, on its own, not great, especially factoring in the fact that they traded promising rookie AJ Johnson to get it done.
Yet, that trade could look much better depending on how the Bucks follow it up before the buzzer sounds on Thursday. Following the trade, Milwaukee is now out of the second apron, giving them much more flexibility in other trades. Now, they can combine salaries in trades, something they could not do prior to the move. Still having plenty of assets and contracts, more moves should follow.
Let's analyze a few moves they should be exploring.
Scour the market for an upgrade using Portis and Connaughton
Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton have been featured in trade rumors for months, and now that the Bucks can combine their salaries, that will only intensify. Making a combined $21 million, the team is now capable of bringing in a legitimate contributor if they package these two players. Armed with a first and two second-round picks, the Milwaukee Bucks also have draft capital to utilize with them.
With Khris Middleton gone, the Bucks are clearly not holding onto nostalgia from their title team, and there's a good shot that these two are now on the chopping block.
Find an athletic center
The Milwaukee Bucks have needed to get more athletic for quite some time. Going from Middleton to Kuzma does that, but it cannot stop there. Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis are still sizeable problems in this regard, and this new flexibility should have the Bucks seeking an athletic big. Robert Williams III is a reasonable target, but this new flexibility may have the Milwaukee Bucks thinking bigger.
Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers has been floating around in rumors recently. Perhaps the Bucks could look to strike a deal with a prominent division rival, as unlikely as it may sound.
Open a roster spot for Ryan Rollins
No matter what, the Milwaukee Bucks still need to open a roster spot for Ryan Rollins. The two-way guard can only play in 18 more regular season games, and he currently would not be eligible for the NBA Playoffs. He needs a standard contract, and it feels beyond reasonable to think that the Bucks will open one up. Failing to do so would be a flat-out disaster for a unit that needs youth and defense.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.