Grade the trade pitch: Bucks land defensive menace in swap with LA Clippers

Milwaukee Bucks' POV

For the Bucks, this trade would be all about addressing a specific need, which is defensive depth in the backcourt. Milwaukee’s defensive identity has been a cornerstone of their recent success, but they’ve had issues containing elite guards with a backcourt starring Damian Lillard.

It would be a disservice to basketball fans to start an article on Dunn with any other point but this: Dunn is a proven defensive stalwart thus far in his career, known for his ability to hound opposing guards and force turnovers. That’s something the Bucks definitely need in the backcourt, where Damian Lillard will have to focus his energy on offense.

Though his reputation isn’t exactly that of a star around the league, Dunn has gained recognition often as a relentless on-ball defender. At 6-foot-3, he brings defensive grit and versatility, frequently harassing opposing guards into mistakes. He may not offer the offensive consistency of a starter, but that’s not what the Milwaukee Bucks need from him.

Possibly adding Dunn would further solidify the Bucks' defensive identity, making them a formidable force on that end of the court. According to Cleaning the Glass (subscription required), opponents turned the ball over +0.9 percent more when Dunn was on the court while shooting -1.4 points fewer per 100 possessions in his minutes for the Utah Jazz. Those are above-average numbers at best, but they do have Dunn at the 75th and 65th percentiles among combo guards in those statistics.

And that’s not even considering what you get from him offensively. He shot 37 percent from behind the 3-point line for Utah en route to averages of 5.4 points and 3.8 assists per game. Those are decent, if not pedestrian, numbers, but when paired with his defensive acumen, you get a relatively complete player who isn’t a negative on either side of the ball. That’s more than you can say for certain players on the Milwaukee Bucks roster.

Dunn would provide valuable depth at the point guard position, allowing Damian Lillard, Delon Wright, and Gary Trent Jr. to get some rest during tight games without sacrificing defensive intensity. This would also give the Bucks more flexibility in their rotations and allow them to match up against different opponents.

On the other hand, trading Pat Connaughton might be a difficult decision, considering his contributions to the Bucks in the past. Once upon a time, he was something of a folk hero during the team’s 2021 title run, but unfortunately, his decline at this point in time has become undeniable. Considering his production on the court, it may be worthwhile to just give the younger Bucks his minutes to develop and see what the team has there.

Financially, though, Connaughton's contract is a luxury tax consideration for the Bucks. Trading him for Dunn would free up cap space and potentially create more flexibility for future moves, which the Bucks front office would definitely consider if such a trade were to become available.

Acquiring Kris Dunn would be a strategic move for the Bucks. His defensive intensity and ability to guard multiple positions would complement their already strong defensive identity. While Dunn's offensive game is limited, his defensive contributions could elevate their overall performance, especially in the playoffs.

Grade: A-