Grade the trade: Bucks land notorious ball hawk in mock deal with Golden State
By Franco Luna
Golden State's POV on this mock trade
It's not hard to see why this deal is, at the very least, on the table for Golden State.
Payton's injury history has begun raising concerns about his availability. If he can't stay healthy, the Warriors might be giving up valuable assets for limited production. And while still relatively unproven at this point in his career, Moody undoubtedly has a high ceiling with the potential to be a three-level scorer in this association.
If he flourishes in Milwaukee, the Warriors might regret parting ways with him. Moody might be frustrated with his lack of playing time. Trading him allows him a chance for a bigger role in Milwaukee.
What they're getting in return is the ever-consistent Portis who brings instant offense and toughness to a Warriors team looking to recapture their championship form. At this point in his career, he's a proven performer who brings toughness, rebounding and a reliable scoring punch in the low post. He could provide much-needed veteran leadership and immediate offensive firepower alongside Stephen Curry and a declining Klay Thompson (if he re-signs).
It also addresses an extremely pressing need for size in the frontcourt for Golden State. Draymond Green's defensive impact remains elite, but his offensive production has dipped. Portis offers a scoring threat from the power forward spot, filling a significant void in their rotation.
Jackson Jr. is young and has room for improvement, too, and if he can develop his offensive repertoire and defensive consistency, he could become a valuable contributor in the future - potentially even more productive than Moody has been for them.
Jackson, too, has proven to be an extremely competent play-connector for Milwaukee, even despite his lack of offensive options. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Bucks scored 118.7 points per 100 possessions and shot 57.2 effective field goal percentage during Jackson's minutes - which put him at the 79th and 85th percentiles for those statistics, respectively.
The eye test proves it, too. Perhaps precisely because of his limitations, he compensates with a fiery motor that helps him keep the ball zipping around. He cuts, sets screens, and crashes for rebounds every chance he gets, almost reminiscent of Antetokounmpo himself.
There are things to take into consideration for Golden State, though. The Warriors are already deep into the luxury tax territory. Adding Portis' salary might further strain their financial situation, limiting their flexibility in future free agency pursuits.
While Portis is a capable defender, he doesn't quite match the defensive versatility of Gary Payton II. Payton's ability to contain smaller guards and switch on screens was valuable for the Warriors, and Portis' defensive deficiencies have kept him out of the lineup for Milwaukee come playoff time, depending on the matchups.
This trade hinges on Portis' health and ability to seamlessly integrate into the Warriors' system. If healthy, he could be a valuable piece in their championship chase. However, the Warriors risk losing a versatile defender and a potentially impactful young player in Moses Moody.
The Warriors might be better served exploring alternative options. Perhaps a trade for a more defensive-minded big man who doesn't significantly increase their payroll burden could be a more balanced solution.
Grade for Warriors: B-