The Milwaukee Bucks went all-in this summer by trading for Damian Lillard. They re-signed Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton in free agency and tried to round out their bench. Losing Jrue Holiday hurt, but Milwaukee is considered one of the title favorites. They still have questions to answer, though.
The Bucks are 20th in defensive rating and Middleton is struggling to stay on the floor. They need his scoring and playmaking to be a serious contender. Milwaukee may also search for some depth before the trade deadline.
The front office is all-in on winning, so expect them to explore the market before Feb. 8. The Bucks have just two second-round picks to use in trades, so they may have to get creative to upgrade their roster. Here are five players Milwaukee could trade this season.
5. Andre Jackson Jr.
The rookie second-round draft pick helped UConn win the NCAA championship in 2023 and has shown flashes with the Bucks in limited minutes. He is ten of 17 from the field and four of eight on his 3-point tries to begin his NBA career.
Jackson Jr. is known for playing hard and helping his team win. The 6’6 wing has defensive upside, but there are questions about his jumper and overall offensive game. A rebuilding team could look to add the 22-year-old as a developmental piece, along with draft capital in exchange for an immediate upgrade for the Bucks.
Andre Jackson Jr. is averaging just 8.8 minutes per game this season and that is with Khris Middleton playing limited minutes. It is difficult to win playing rookies significant minutes, so the franchise should explore his market before the deadline.
The Milwaukee Bucks could look to trade their other young talent to maximize their championship odds in 2024.