Grade the trade: Bucks move fan-favorite for elite bench scorer in mock deal
By Dalton Sell
The Bucks' POV on this mock trade
This trade would see the Milwaukee Bucks add one of the best bench scorers the NBA has seen over the past several years.
In five seasons with Utah, he's averaged 17.7 points per game in 305 appearances, only 84 of which came as a starter. The 2020-21 Sixth Man of the Year can put points on the board in a hurry, hitting shots from all over the floor, though his three-ball is streaky; he's shooting a career-low 29.4 percent from long distance in 2023-24.
Clarkson would help form one of the best bench scoring duos in the association alongside big man Bobby Portis. When the starters need to catch their breath, these two could help shoulder the load on the offensive end, providing a significant sparkplug. Over the years - even this season - a lack of bench scoring has plagued the Bucks, but this could help mightily.
As for the outgoing parts, Pat Connaughton was deemed one of the likeliest Bucks to be moved at the trade deadline, and that will likely carry over into the off-season. Milwaukee's youth would take a hit with the departure of sophomores AJ Green and MarJon Beauchamp, but neither have been able to consistently stick in the rotation, so they team may be open to dealing them for a proven vet.
As mentioned, that second-round pick the Bucks would include here would be an early second-round selection, in all likelihood, adding to its value. While some would like to see Milwaukee keep the pick to add a player, this is a class executives are reportedly calling the "worst draft they have ever seen," so the Bucks may be justified to move the pick for an immediate contributor like Clarkson.