With the 2024 NBA Trade deadline coming next month, the Milwaukee Bucks are under a microscope.
Everyone wants to know what the team will do. Though they have one of the best records in the NBA, it's clear that there is still room to grow, particularly defensively. Even with limited assets after trades for Jae Crowder and Damian Lillard over the past year, General Manager Jon Horst still has several pieces he can work with to put together a deal.
That said, let us look at several deals the team could potentially explore.
A mock trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors appear to be embracing a reshaping. With forward OG Anunoby being dealt to the New York Knicks and Pascal Siakam seemingly the next to go, it's not far-fetched to think that many of the other players on this roster could be had. If that is truly the case, there are two particular players that the Milwaukee Bucks should call about.
Jalen McDaniels and Otto Porter Jr. would give the Bucks two lengthy, tall, and versatile defenders. The former stands at 6-foot-9, while the latter is 6-foot-8. Over the past few years, the Bucks have lacked wings with such size to defend players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jimmy Butler. These two would provide some assistance in that regard, fitting in seamlessly.
This deal has incredible upside. McDaniels is a 25-year-old who still has plenty of room to grow as a player but could still make an immediate impact with his intangibles. Porter poses more of a risk due to his recent string of injury issues over the past few years, but as he showed in 2022 as a member of the Golden State Warriors, he can help a team win at the highest level when healthy.
Something else to like about these two players is their salaries. Combined, the two make just about $11 million, making them realistic for the Bucks. A deal involving Pat Connaughton and AJ Green is acceptable from a financial standpoint, and Milwaukee could add in two second-rounders to try and sweeten the pot. This could be the deal to give Milwaukee the versatility they need defensively.
A mock trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz
Kris Dunn likely isn't a target that many had on their Bucks' bingo cards. Yet, the idea came about after Ben Anderson of KSL Sports stated that the former lottery pick would be a quality fit for the Bucks. With the guard not playing a prominent role for the Utah Jazz this season, perhaps Milwaukee could make an offer to legitimately use him.
Despite being a former fifth overall pick, Dunn has bounced around the league. He's never quite been able to blossom, but he's shown glimpses of potential in spurts, particularly defensively. His greatest showing came during the 2019-20 season, where he narrowly missed an All-Defensive team honor. The Bucks could use a defensive-minded guard right now.
To be clear, Dunn would not be a needle-tipper or anything. He has flaws, notably that he is just a bit undersized at 6-foot-3, meaning there would be situations where scorers could take advantage of him - see the Bucks with George Hill in the 2022 NBA Playoffs. However, in a reserve role, the guard could give Milwaukee a defensive spark as a part of the rotation.
Dunn likely would not cost the Bucks a ton asset-wise to acquire, given his minimum salary and small role for the Jazz. The combined salaries of Cameron Payne and Robin Lopez would get it done, and the Bucks could add in a second-rounder. Milwaukee would also open up a roster spot in this mock, allowing them to bring in a free agent off of the buyout market, which could be a good move.
A mock trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks
Per Yahoo! Sports' NBA insider Jake Fischer, the only two Atlanta Hawks untouchable in trade talks right now are Trae Young and Jalen Johnson. They have a cache of incredibly interesting players on that roster, but a lot of them would likely be too pricey for Milwaukee's taste. However, they do have a pair of wings in AJ Griffin and Wesley Matthews who could make sense as targets.
Griffin, son of current Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin, is having a tough year, having only appeared in 12 games due to stepping away for personal reasons. After an impressive rookie year, the wing hasn't even been a key cog in Atlanta's rotation when he is available. Perhaps a change of scenery in a place with a family member could help him spread his wings and unlock that potential.
While the 6-foot-6 forward isn't the defensive ace the Bucks need, he's still just 20 years old and has plenty of room to grow. Perhaps his father and this staff could help him develop into that role. As is, he could give Milwaukee another energizer who can score and shoot the basketball extremely well. Teams can never have enough wings over 6-foot-5 in today's NBA.
As for the other player who would be coming to Milwaukee in this trade, Bucks fans are familiar with what he brings to the table. During the past year and a half with the Bucks, Matthews was among the team's best defenders and played every possession like it was his last. The Bucks could bring him in and throw him at opposing scorers to hound them.
At 37 years old, Matthews is not the player he once was, but he could have some fuel left in the tank. The Bucks could use him in a small role to give them a spark defensively, as he would provide a nice amount of versatility and toughness. Perhaps the third time Matthews and the Bucks come together could be the charm.
Like the Toronto mock, both Hawks in this trade are on smaller contracts. The Bucks could package Pat Connaughton, Robin Lopez, and two second round picks as an offering.
A second mock trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks
This trade is much more unrealistic than the previous one, but it's still a move the Bucks must pursue if the Hawks are indeed open for business.
De'Andre Hunter is precisely what Milwaukee needs. He's a 6-foot-8 forward who specializes on the defensive side of the floor. He could be the piece this team needs defensively to turn a corner, giving them a player who can defend some of the best names in the business. Again, the Bucks have been hindered in the past by their wings being under 6-foot-5, and Hunter would eliminate that worry.
On top of his defensive excellence, Hunter is also a quality offensive player. For his career, he has put together averages of 14 points per game while shooting 36.1 percent from three. Having turned 26 in recent months, he's still got time to blossom into a two-way monster, and the Bucks could be a great environment for him to do so.
Financially, Hunter would be a pricey addition for Milwaukee, as he's in the first year of a four-year deal worth $90 million. The combined salaries of Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, and MarJon Beauchamp would make it achievable for the Bucks. This would definitively be Milwaukee pushing all of their chips to the center of the table, giving up two key role players, a young wing, and their lone picks.
Yet, for a player of Hunter's caliber and another decent veteran in Matthews, it could be worth it.
A mock trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls
Trades within the division can be somewhat rare, but it's never impossible, of course. Although they have seemingly quieted down, rumors were intense early in the season that the Chicago Bulls could aim to shake things up ahead of the trade deadline. If that is still the case, there are two former Bucks who could be worth bringing back in the right deal.
During his season and a half with the Bucks, Jevon Carter made a name for himself by playing tough defense while hitting a tremendous amount of 3-pointers. He provided infinite amounts of hustle and peskiness defensively, oftentimes picking up opposing ball-handlers the full length of the floor. If he were to come back to Milwaukee, those attributes could certainly be useful.
As for Craig, he'd give the team another experienced wing who is 6-foot-7 and can defend several positions at a respectable level. Unfortunately, he is currently out of the lineup due to an acute sprain of his right plantar fascia and could miss up to eight weeks. It would help if he were ready for a stretch run into the playoffs, as his defense could be very useful.
Financially, the combined salaries of both are reasonable, as Carter is making $6.2 million this season, while Craig is at $2.5 million. Connaughton and Payne's salaries would work in a deal, and Milwaukee could add in a second-rounder to give the Bulls some form of draft capital. It remains to be seen what the Bulls plan to do, but the Bucks should at least keep an eye on the situation.
A mock trade between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets
This could very well be the most popular trade idea for Bucks fans. With rumors swirling that they may both be available, Dorian Finney-Smith and Royce O'Neale are two players fans have dreamt about landing from the Brooklyn Nets. Even one of these players could make a difference for the Bucks, but both would be a dream scenario.
Both players are versatile forwards who play resiliently on the defensive end. With those attributes, they could undoubtedly sharpen the dull blade that is Milwaukee's defense. This tandem, along with Jae Crowder, would give the Bucks a handful of legitimate big wing defenders who can guard bigger players and provide more resistance than most of Milwaukee's current wings on the roster.
As for the package itself, it's another where the Bucks would have to sell the farm. The team would be including virtually all of their most valuable assets and hoping that this is the move they need to find a groove on defense. All things considered, no one would likely fault them if they were able to pull this one off. The lineup combinations this team could make with those two would be incredible.
This deal may just be a pipe dream, as it's no secret that the Nets hold a high asking price for both players. The New York Post's Brian Lewis reported that Brooklyn turned down two first-rounders for Finney-Smith at the trade deadline and that the team reportedly could have gotten a first for O'Neale. The Bucks do not have capital like that, but the players and picks they are offering do have value.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.