It is no secret that the Milwaukee Bucks need to improve their defense if they want to have a serious shot at winning another NBA title. They still sit second in the East with a 28-13 record, but the defense has been an issue all season long despite its slow improvement statistically.
Milwaukee's defense now sits 22nd in defensive rating at 116.8, which is an improvement on the early season form, and the return of Jae Crowder is also a huge plus for the team. With the trade deadline slowly edging closer, the Bucks are expected to be looking into the market to make that much-needed defensive improvement or at least dip into the buyout market.
Brew Hoop's Alex Krov proposed a trade that would see the Bucks add a former All-Defensive wing to the roster in a compelling deal with the Portland Trail Blazers.
The mock trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Portland Trail Blazers
Matisse Thybulle is the exact sort of wing defender that the Bucks need. He would take on the guard assignments, which would free up Malik Beasley from being the point-of-attack defender on occasion.
With the Trail Blazers in rebuild mode and with plenty of young players already on the roster, there is the potential that at 26, Thybulle is looked to be moved on if there is interest there and the Blazers can get picks or younger players in return to grow alongside Scoot Henderson.
The Bucks would be giving up both Pat Connaughton and MarJon Beauchamp in this deal, along with this year's second-round pick. Connaughton has struggled this year, and Beauchamp has not seen the growth many would have hoped. He did play for the Wisconsin Herd in the G-League recently as he looks for more time on the court, having fallen out of the rotation.
With the details out of the way, let's take a closer look at the deal and what it may mean for both teams.