Grading a mock trade that would give the Milwaukee Bucks much-needed wing defense
The Milwaukee Bucks’ perspective on this mock trade with the
Portland Trail Blazers
This fit for the Bucks is close to perfect. Thybulle's ability to guard at the wing position and, more specifically, be a defensive specialist is atop Milwaukee's shopping list right now. It will be of use in the regular season, but come the postseason, being able to throw him into what should be a monster defensive lineup will be of huge significance to their chances at winning a chip.
So far this season, Thybulle is averaging 5.5 points per game on 41.4 percent shooting and 36.8 percent from deep in 22.8 minutes on the court. When he entered the league back in 2019, his shooting was always something he needed to work on, and he has become more consistent in that area.
His area of real value is the 1.6 steals per game and just under a block a game, which is impressive for someone at 6-foot-5. Another positive with Thybulle is he has one year plus a player option left on his deal through 2026, earning just $11.5 million, which is quite a team-friendly contract.
Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks with 1.3 steals per game, and Damian Lillard is the only other player averaging at least one per game. 1.6 steals per game also puts him joint-fourth in the association with the likes of Paul George and De'Aaron Fox in that category. The fact that Thybulle would take the lead on the Bucks in that stat is why he should be seriously considered by the front office as a trade target and the win-now mentality that the team has.
In terms of what the Bucks would give up, it is nothing too unrealistic or drastic. Pat Connaughton has seen a drop off in production, likely due to the addition of Lillard and is averaging 5.4 points per game on good shooting splits. Statistically, Connaughton and Thybulle aren't too dissimilar until you look into the defensive metrics.
Thybulle has a defensive rating of 114.4 per Stat Muse, and Connaughton's is up at 119.9. Looking at the Bucks' defensive ratings, Thybulle is second to that of Giannis with 113.1 and some of the guys higher up in the ratings include TyTy Washington and Chris Livingston, who have both seen limited minutes on the floor.
As previously mentioned, Beauchamp has struggled to build on what was a promising rookie season despite the slight increase in minutes. His field goal percentage is up at a strong 47.4 percent, and he hits his shots from deep 40 percent of the time. The move to send him down the the Herd is interesting as it could be just for minutes but could it also be an indication of him not being planned to be in the rotation moving forward.
From the Bucks's point of view, I like the deal and how it would fit their roster without giving up too much in the way of personnel.