The Milwaukee Bucks and several other teams remain in pursuit of free agent Peyton Watson, but the forward might keep them waiting. As NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on his latest livestream for Bleacher Report, a resolution might not come until September. The last time the Bucks made a splash in September was when they traded for Damian Lillard.
If a deal goes down in September, Watson, much like Lillard, wouldn't have much time to get to know his new teammates and build chemistry.
Bucks might relive Damian Lillard experience
Just when it seemed like the Milwaukee Bucks were poised to run it back in the summer of 2023, they pulled off a blockbuster trade for Damian Lillard just before training camp. Bucks fans were ecstatic about the move—little did they know all of the misfortune that would come soon after. One problem was that Lillard had very little time to gel with his new teammates, and it hurt the on-court product.
The guard had just enough time to get a quick cup of coffee with his Bucks teammates and coaches, forcing everyone to play catch up and change the gameplan as the season went on. Had Lillard been traded to Milwaukee a month or two earlier, he would have had more time to forge chemistry with his peers and potentially start the season off on a higher note.
Now, the Milwaukee Bucks may run the same risk with Peyton Watson.
Watson would be a big addition to this squad
Of course, adding Watson wouldn't be the same as acquiring Lillard. Adding Lillard forced the team to undergo significant gameplan changes because he played far differently than Jrue Holiday, the point guard prior to the move. Watson's transition stylistically would be easier to maneuver, but he still does not have that chemistry with his new teammates and would have little time to develop it.
Perhaps the Milwaukee Bucks could afford a few more bumps in the road with Watson because, unlike when they got Lillard, they have time to wait. They are not in title-or-bust mode right now, so if it takes the forward some time to find his footing, that might be fine. Everything next season will be about the big picture for the Bucks.
Obviously, the Bucks still have to get their hands on Watson, which is not a guarantee. They have as good a shot as anyone currently in the the running, but it's not far-fetched to think they would like to get this done sooner rather than later if possible to get him acclimated. The sooner his team can get him on the court with his colleagues, the better.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
Add us as a preferred source on Google