MarJon Beauchamp never got his feet off the ground with the Milwaukee Bucks, and now, the sides are trending toward separating.
It's been widely reported that Beauchamp's representation and the Bucks are looking to find the wing a new home, and understandably so, as his role in the rotation this season has been nonexistent. The question is whether the Bucks can net anything of value in return for the youngster, especially if they can flip him for another solid piece.
With a $2.7 million salary and the inability to combine salaries in a deal, the Milwaukee Bucks cannot use Beauchamp in any big trades. Perhaps they could make a move around the edges. With that said, let us analyze three players the Bucks should target using MarJon Beauchamp.
No. 1 - Duop Reath, Portland Trail Blazers
Behind Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis on the depth chart, the Milwaukee Bucks do not have another center on a standard contract. If they could find a way to swap Beauchamp to add Duop Reath, a big man NBA insider Jake Fischer says teams have been inquiring about, it would make sense to add an insurance policy at a position that is thin in the depth department.
Reath hasn't played a prominent role for Portland this season, but when he did last season, he often showed glimpses of potential as a floor spacer and rebounder. At 28, Reath isn't some young player who could develop into something special, but he has the chops to be a solid rotational piece in the frontcourt and, at the bare minimum, give the Milwaukee Bucks some depth.
No. 2 - Mo Bamba, LA Clippers
Sticking with the thought of the Milwaukee Bucks upgrading at the center spot, Mo Bamba is another name that fits the billing. The former sixth-overall pick hasn't played a key role for the LA Clippers this season and could offer Milwaukee another big body at the center spot. Again, at the bare minimum, it would be nice to have some insurance behind Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis.
At 26, the 7-foot Bamba is still relatively young and could have good basketball ahead of him. It is still too early to be thinking about Milwaukee's succession plan for Brook Lopez, but taking a flyer low-risk flyer on someone like Bamba could help them get a head start when assessing possible options. The big man has flashed potential as a floor spacer and solid interior force defensively.
No. 3 - Dalono Banton, Portland Trail Blazers
Back to Portland. Dalono Banton is not a player who could help the Milwaukee Bucks at center, but he could be of use just about everywhere else. At 6-foot-9, he possesses unique size for a point guard in today's NBA. With an extended role in Portland this season, the 25-year-old is showing that he can do it all with his scoring, passing, shooting and defense. There's a lot to like.
Banton would give Doc Rivers a versatile chess piece off the bench who could be used in countless different situations. It's unclear how the Blazers feel about Banton, but if the deadline inches closer and they are more open to listening to offers for players on their roster, Banton would be a justifiable option for the Milwaukee Bucks.
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