NBA trade season is still a few months away, but with a slew of players set to be trade eligible after December 15, teams like the Milwaukee Bucks can start doing their homework on possible targets.
At this point, it's obviously that the Bucks could use some reinforcements defensively. Luckily for the front office, there are a handful of candidates whose names are currently floating around on the open market. Given Milwaukee's depleted asset stash following the Damian Lillard trade and other moves, some targets are far more realistic than others.
With all of that in mind, let us look at five realistic and five dream targets for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Dream trade target - Dorian Finney-Smith, Brooklyn Nets
Dorian Finney-Smith is among the most popular names floating around as a target for the Bucks, and for good reason. The 30-year-old is a 6-foot-7 forward who is as versatile as they come, and he'd give the Bucks an incredibly tough defender to utilize as they try to establish a defensive identity under Head Coach Adrian Griffin.
What makes him a dream trade target is the rumored asking price. According to a recent rumor-filled piece from HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, which will be referenced a lot here, the Brooklyn Nets are expected to seek the equivalent of two first rounders in exchange for Finney-Smith. That's tough for the Bucks, who don't have close to that. Unless the Nets lower the price, it may be tough to pull off.
Realistic trade target - Torrey Craig, Chicago Bulls
Rumors have been swirling for weeks that the Chicago Bulls could unload several key pieces on their roster before the trade deadline. While he's not the star player everyone may want, Torrey Craig, who is a quality 3-and-D veteran, would be a nice addition to a team like Milwaukee, who is seeking more defensive help. He'd be another versatile and switchable defender off of the bench.
What makes Craig an incredibly realistic target is his current contract. The forward is on the books for $2.5 million this season, which is very easily digestible, even for a cash-strapped team like the Bucks. This would allow the Bucks to keep their core intact and add a veteran for cheap. If the Bulls decide to start shedding players, the Bucks should undoubtedly make an offer for Craig.
Dream trade target - Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls
Sticking with the Bulls, the trade target everyone across the league will be targeting is Alex Caruso. The NBA champion and All-Defensive honoree is viewed as a potential needle-tipper for contenders due to that defensive prowess he provides. Obviously, the Bucks would certainly welcome a player of his skill set to the table as they aim to sharpen their perimeter defense.
What lands Caruso in the dream category is The Athletic's Shams Charania (subscription required) reporting that the Bulls are currently shutting down calls on their defensive ace. The Bucks were not likely to win a Caruso bidding war in the first place, but obviously, they wouldn't even have a chance to try unless the Bulls have a change of heart.
Realistic trade target - P.J. Tucker, LA Clippers
Just like Torrey Craig, there is another former Buck who might make sense as a trade target, and his name is P.J. Tucker. The forward was a key cog on the 2021 title team due to the defense he played for the Bucks, and the hope would be that he could help produce the same result. Even if he is not the same defender he once was, Tucker's leadership and communication defensively would help.
Tucker is a realistic target for Milwaukee because he is reportedly frustrated with his role in LA, per Charania, who also noted that several contending teams are monitoring his situation. It wouldn't be too surprising the Bucks were among those teams. They'd have to be willing to absorb his salary, worth $11.5 million, which might be too much, but if they want him, they could likely get him.
Dream trade target - Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls
Another Bull? This will be the last one. Patrick Williams would be an incredibly intriguing to this roster, as the young forward would give the team the defensive pest they are looking for. Although he is still pretty raw at 22 years old, Williams could undeniably help this team's defensive struggles by serving as a pest on the perimeter for opposing players.
While Scotto reports that Williams' future in Chicago remains uncertain after the two were far apart in contract extension talks, the Bucks getting him would still be a long shot. If the Bulls entertained the thought of trading him, it would likely come with a hefty asking price. Even if they did start a trade frenzy, it would make sense for them to keep a young player amid the rebuild as well.
Realistic trade target - Chuma Okeke, Orlando Magic
After getting solid minutes throughout his first three NBA seasons, Chuma Okeke has fallen out of favor in the Orlando Magic's rotation this season. Yet, there is some potential there, as he's a 6-foot-6 forward who has shown glimpses of strong defensive potential. At 25, he's still got room to grow, and perhaps Milwaukee could aim to unearth some of his defensive potential.
Scotto mentioned that the Bucks are indeed among the teams who have expressed some interest in acquiring Okeke in the past. That makes sense, especially if it was this past off-season as the team tried to add more youth and defense. With a $5.2 million salary this season, the young forward is on the affordable side of the Bucks, and he'd be a low-risk, potentially high reward trade target.
Dream trade target - Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
Adding youth was a big point of emphasis for the Bucks this past off-season. If they want to continue that trend, perhaps they could look into Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors. The young forward has shown legitimate glimpses of two-way potential. Defensively, he stands at 6-foot-8 and can match up against top tier competition. He'd be a huge addition to this Milwaukee defense.
Kuminga landing in Milwaukee may just be a pipe dream, but Scotto noted that he's highly-coveted across the league. Anything can happen between now and the deadline, and perhaps if the Warriors field offers for Kuminga, the Bucks could make a call. It wouldn't be too difficult to get him financially, but the Warriors could certainly ask for a lot in return from the promising young 21-year-old.
Realistic trade target - Reggie Bullock, Houston Rockets
Back to veterans, Reggie Bullock would be another intriguing option. He's a credible 3-and-D wing, which makes it unsurprising that Scotto mentioned Milwaukee had interest in signing him before he landed with the Houston Rockets in NBA Free Agency. He'd bring more shooting, defense, experience, and versatility to this Milwaukee team.
Since signing with Houston, Bullock has failed to get onto the floor much, playing a new career-low 9.1 minutes per game. Due to that, Scotto noted that he is a name to monitor on the market. He has an affordable contract for a team like Milwaukee, as he's making $3.2 million this season. Acquiring that would not be difficult for the Bucks, and Houston's asking price would likely be reasonable.
Dream trade target - Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies
A lot of people have floated the idea of the Milwaukee Bucks making a run at Marcus Smart, and it's clear to see why. The Defensive Player of the Year would be a perfect fit on this team, giving them one of the top defenders at the guard position in the entire NBA to help strengthen the perimeter defense mightily. It would take some warming up to for some Bucks fans, but this would be a huge move.
As good as it would be for the Bucks to get him, it's not too realistic. The Grizzlies just gave up a haul to pry Smart from the Boston Celtics in the off-season, and it's unlikely that the Bucks could attract them too much with what little assets they have. Still, it's undeniably worth attempting, as Smart may be the needle-tipper this team needs defensively to get things clicking.
Realistic trade target - Royce O'Neale, Brooklyn Nets
Back to Brooklyn. If the Bucks don't have enough to get Finney-Smith, perhaps they could turn their attention to Royce O'Neale, another versatile forward mentioned in rumors recently. Acquiring the veteran would give Milwaukee another mobile defender who can constantly make things happen on the perimeter, despite being a tad undersized at 6-foot-4. He could help this team out.
O'Neale teeters on falling into the dream category because Scotto reported that executives believe Brooklyn wants a protected first rounder. The Bucks don't have too much draft capital, but they do possess a few second rounders and other talent that could make Brooklyn think. It's not out of the question that they could get O'Neale, so he'll land in the realistic category.