It's not groundbreaking to say that the Milwaukee Bucks could use more help on the defensive side of the ball ahead of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline.
The team has struggled on defense for a large part of the year, and a defensive-minded player could be a difference-maker. While fans are primarily interested in the big hitters like Dorian Finney-Smith and Alex Caruso, there are less recognizable targets who could also be feasible options.
For example, Ben Anderson of KSL Sports proposed the idea of the Bucks bringing in Kris Dunn of the Utah Jazz in his latest mailbag.
Bucks floated as logical suitor for former fifth overall pick via trade
Dunn has had an interesting career. After being taken fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2016 NBA Draft, the guard has bounced around seeking an opportunity, also suiting up for the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers, and currently the Jazz.
The 29-year-old is currently logging the second-fewest minutes per game in his career, so it's not too far-fetched to think he could be available.
There's undeniably some potential there with Dunn. As Anderson stated, he believes Dunn could be a valuable addition for the Bucks due to his ability to check in and give Damian Lillard a breather while playing tough defense against the opposing team's top players.
He's a pesky defender, which has always been his calling card. A few years ago, Dunn nearly made it onto an All-Defensive team but finished 11th in the 10-player voting, so he was the first player out. The Bucks could undeniably use a player with a knack for player defense at such a high level.
Yet, Dunn is also no slouch on the offensive end either. In all three of the seasons in which he's played over 25 minutes per game, Dunn has averaged more than 11 points and five assists. His outside shot has never been a strength, but he can still put points and the board and facilitate extremely well.
Dunn would indeed fit nicely with the Bucks, giving them a backup guard who could provide a spark off the bench defensively behind Lillard while also producing offensively. Financially, he's within the realm of affordability for Milwaukee, making $2.6 million this season.
Yet, with Cameron Payne on the roster, it's unlikely that the Bucks would trade for another backup point guard. If the Bucks were to move Payne ahead of the deadline, it would make sense if they pursued a replacement like Dunn.
While Dunn is an intriguing player who could help the Bucks, he should not be among the top targets on the team's trade big board. Milwaukee currently needs defenders of any kind, but specifically, they would particularly benefit from adding big wings who are above 6-foot-5, like Finney-Smith, to throw at opposing wing scorers. The 6-foot-3 Dunn does not fit the billing in that regard.
However, that does not mean that he'd be a bad addition to this team. Dunn could help, and it would make sense for the Bucks to kick the tires on acquiring him, but he should not be a primary target.