The NBA trade deadline is just days away, and the Milwaukee Bucks have constantly been named in rumors and are expected to be aggressive in the final few days. Doc Rivers' tenure as head coach has gotten off to a positive start despite the defeat to the Utah Jazz over the weekend, and he could see changes to the roster for the final run-in of the season.
There have been plenty of names come up regarding the Bucks and what it may take to give them up. Here we will put those trade targets into a tier list. I will take asking price into account with this as the Bucks have very little in assets and some players are perfect fits but cannot be afforded sadly.
Tier 1 - Must Have
The top tier of must-have players are guys who can fit in easily with what the Bucks require and shouldn't cost too much to give up.
First up on the list is Isaac Okoro, who was linked to the Bucks by Hoops Hype. The Cleveland Cavaliers have a decision to make regarding Donovan Mitchell and his future. Should they decide to keep him, it would mean Okoro is one player who may have to be moved, as they would need to go into the tax for 2024-25. Okoro is earning just $8.9 million this year and becomes a restricted free agent next season. The 23-year-old two-way wing is averaging 8.9 points on 49.6 percent from the field and 38.5 from three. Add to this a steal per game, and Okoro would be a great fit for the Bucks and be that defensive wing they so require.
The next must-have player for me would be Matisse Thybulle. Portland's wing is averaging 5.6 points per game on 41 percent shooting. His 115 defensive rating would have him second on the Bucks in that category and earning just $10.5 million per year with another year and a player option for 2025-26. His asking price should be quite low, and Pat Connaughton and Cam Payne's contracts match up well. What Thybulle can provide would be a stellar addition to Milwaukee.
The final player in this tier is Dorian Finney-Smith of the Brooklyn Nets. Another elite defender that can hit the three, Finney-Smith has been atop a lot of teams' target lists as we head towards the deadline. His contract is quite friendly, with him earning $13.9 million this season, followed by $14.9 million next season and a player option for $15.3 million in 2025.
This season, he is averaging 9.1 points per game on 41.2 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from beyond the arc. The downside here is the Nets have asked for first-round picks, and with the Bucks lacking those, it may mean Bobby Portis is moved or that the asking price becomes too high for Milwaukee. Still, he would be an ideal addition.
All three would fit in perfectly at the two or even off the bench, and with friendly contracts, their asking prices should be quite low and hopefully would require the more expendable Bucks players in return.