3 Mock 2024 NBA Trade Deadline deals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets

Trade Number 2:

In this trade, the Bucks would throw in MarJon Beauchamp, giving up almost all of their limited assets, but they'd improve their bench defense even more by acquiring Dennis Smith Jr. along with Royce O'Neale. If the Bucks believe they are just a couple of bench defenders away from a title, this would be a good trade to make.

Beauchamp, like Pat Connaughton, has been underwhelming this season and seems to have lost his spot in the rotation, playing just six total minutes in his last nine games. Meanwhile, Dennis Smith Jr. has been a really good point-of-attack defender who would be a better fit as the backup point guard on this Bucks team than Cameron Payne.

Smith wouldn't provide a ton of offense, but defense is a bigger need at the guard spots for the Bucks right now after the Damian Lillard trade. Had the Bucks known they were trading away Jrue Holiday, they likely would have gone after a more defensive-minded backup point guard in free agency. The trade deadline is a chance for them to adjust to their new roster with Dame, and trading for a defensive point guard like Smith would do just that.

Turning Beauchamp and Connaughton into two solid defenders would be a nice upgrade on the bench for the Bucks. The Nets would be receiving a young player in Beauchamp who they would hope develops into a nice player down the road, along with an early second-round pick this year and another future second-round pick.