One of the Milwaukee Bucks' prominent rivals in the Eastern Conference just made a blockbuster trade to strengthen their roster.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Indiana Pacers have acquired Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors in a deal involving Bruce Brown, former Buck Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks. The New Orleans Pelicans are also involved in the deal. More teams can always get involved if teams want to flip pieces, and perhaps the Bucks could kick the tires on potentially doing just that.
How the Milwaukee Bucks could get involved in the blockbuster Pascal Siakam trade
It's no secret at all that the Bucks could use a defensive boost ahead of the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. One player who could help in that regard is Brown, who is a prime candidate to be rerouted after he was just sent to Toronto, as mentioned by Yossi Gozlan.
Brown would be a great fit in Milwaukee. He's a do-it-all point guard, shooting guard, and forward who can score, rebound, facilitate, and, most importantly, play defense. The 27-year-old stands at 6-foot-4 and could be the wing defender they have longed for over the past several years.
He's proven that he can help impact winning at the highest level, having helped the Denver Nuggets win it all last season before earning a massive raise in NBA Free Agency because of it.
That's where things get a bit tricky for Milwaukee. Brown is on the books for $22 million this season, placing him within the most expensive trade targets for the Bucks. Milwaukee would have to give up both Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton, which might not be off the table, but it's unclear if Toronto would want those two veterans, as they're clearly heading toward a rebuild.
Perhaps the Bucks would look to rope in a third team that features more desirable assets for a team looking to stock up on young players. That's just speculation at this point. The pathway to getting the 2023 NBA champion on the Bucks is far easier said than done, but it's possible as the Raptors weigh what to do with Brown.
Despite his massive salary, Brown seems like a more realistic target than players like Alex Caruso or Dorian Finney-Smith, who reportedly have massive asking prices. At the minimum, the Bucks should inquire about what it would take to get Brown from Toronto.
If Brown would cost too much, the Bucks would be wise to pivot and inquire about Raptors forwards Otto Porter Jr. and Jalen McDaniels.
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