The 2024 NBA Trade Deadline is just several days away, and many fans are waiting anxiously for the Milwaukee Bucks to make a move.
Despite their limited assets, the Bucks likely have an aggressive mindset as they aim to improve the roster, particularly defensively. Scouting the trade market, there are plenty of names who could help this team on that side of the floor. That said, let us look at several premier targets and what it might cost to acquire them.
Matisse Thybulle, Portland Trail Blazers
Matisse Thybulle was linked to the Bucks by Yahoo Sports' NBA insider Jake Fischer. While it's not clear how available the young Portland Trail Blazers wing is ahead of the trade deadline, the Bucks should make an offer to find out.
Thybulle is exactly what the Bucks need right now. He's a versatile, defensive-minded wing who would immediately fortify this team's perimeter defense tenfold. He could be Milwaukee's primary defender for the opposing team's top wing, which is something they lack mightily right now. They've been using Malik Beasley in this role, and Thybulle would be an immediate upgrade.
Financially, Thybulle is making $10.5 million this season. To match that deal, Milwaukee could offer up Pat Connaughton and Cameron Payne while including their two second-rounders as sweeteners for a Portland team that would likely covet them, especially their own in 2024. Per Fischer, there are people in the league who could view that pick as valuable, given that it is expected to be an early second.
It's unclear if Portland would accept this. They don't find themselves in a position where moving on from Thybulle is necessary after inking him to a deal this past off-season. The only way they might consider would be if they covet their own second-round pick and another pick to build for the future. Still, the Bucks should at least make an offer, as there's no denying the fit.
An interesting nugget in this situation is that Thybulle has to give the green light in any trade due to how his contract is structured, per Rose Garden Report's Sean Highkin. It should be noted that the young wing played under Doc Rivers with the Philadelphia 76ers and that the two did not always see eye to eye, meaning Thybulle could very well decline to play for him again if he so desired.
That's not a guarantee, just something to keep an eye on if discussions did gain any traction.
Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings
Per a separate report from Fischer, the Bucks are among teams across the association canvassing the market for point guard help ahead of the trade deadline. In that same report, Fischer mentioned that Davion Mitchell of the Sacramento Kings is available. That could make for a perfect match.
There's a reason why Mitchell has earned the nickname "Off-Night" throughout his basketball career. In college, he earned Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, NABC Defensive Player of the Year, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and was named to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team twice. That defense was a major reason why he went ninth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Throughout his three NBA seasons so far, Mitchell has shown glimpses of that tough defense versus top talent, but his role has shrunk with each passing season. He undoubtedly has what it takes to help a team on that side of the basketball, but he needs an opportunity. A team that desperately needs an added jolt on that side of things, like Milwaukee, could certainly help him with a change of scenery.
Mitchell could immediately give the Bucks on that end, giving them an energetic guard who can take on tough assignments at the guard position. Offensively, he's a non-shooter (31.2 percent from three in his career), but at this point, the Bucks would welcome a defender over a scorer. Mitchell can put up points and facilitate, but his main duty would be to play tough defense.
Aside from being a poor perimeter shooter, the one concern with Mitchell is his size, as he stands at 6-foot-2. As seen in the 2022 NBA Playoffs, when the Boston Celtics constantly targeted George Hill, undersized guards can oftentimes be hunted on defense by bigger wings. It's a major worry, but still, Mitchell could help this team.
Looking at the package, the Bucks could offer Cameron Payne, a player Fischer noted is available, MarJon Beauchamp, who has been out of Milwaukee's rotation entirely lately, and a second-round pick in an attempt to satisfy the Kings. Making $5 million this season, absorbing Mitchell's salary would be relatively affordable, allowing the Bucks to keep all of their key components.
Royce O'Neale, Brooklyn Nets
Royce O'Neale is a player Milwaukee Bucks fans have had their eyes on for a long time, and according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post (Subscription required), the team does indeed have an interest in adding the wing ahead of the trade deadline.
In terms of what the Bucks need defensively, O'Neale checks off essentially all of the boxes. The wing is extremely versatile, meaning he could provide plenty of versatility as a switchable defender on the perimeter while taking on top-tier wing assignments. Having him defend opposing scorers over the likes of Malik Beasley and Pat Connaughton would be a major boost for Milwaukee.
Offensively, O'Neale wouldn't be tasked with much outside of knocking down occasional 3-point tries, which he is good at. For his career, he's sunk 38.1 percent of his triples on 3.6 attempts per matchup. Alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton, O'Neale would get his share of open looks and could thrive as a perimeter shooter.
According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, rival executives believe the Brooklyn Nets could acquire multiple second-round picks in exchange for O'Neale. Milwaukee could offer both of their seconds and Pat Connaughton to match O'Neale's salary in an attempt to satisfy that demand. Acquiring him would make plenty of sense for a Milwaukee team starving for more defenders.
In terms of what they both bring to the table, getting O'Neale would feel a lot like when the Bucks traded for P.J. Tucker in 2021. Milwaukee would be getting a veteran piece with experience who could help strengthen the team's defense, which is exactly what Tucker did. It will be interesting to see if history ultimately repeats itself.
Bruce Brown, Toronto Raptors
After being dealt to the Toronto Raptors in the blockbuster Pascal Siakam trade, Bruce Brown's future with the team remains uncertain. Plenty of teams will be looking to pry Brown away from Toronto, and the Bucks should be among them.
The Bucks could use a Swiss Army Knife on the roster right now, and as Brown showed as a member of the championship-winning Denver Nuggets last season, he can be that player. Brown is a capable scorer, defender, passer, rebounder, and hustle player all in one. Milwaukee simply does not have a role player like that right now.
Above all else, Brown could shore up the team's defensive personnel, but he could also help them in several other areas mentioned. He could be a great chess piece to utilize when the Bucks go to their small-ball lineups with Giannis Antetokounmpo at the center position, giving the team even more versatility on both sides of the basketball in those situations.
Acquiring Brown would involve moving a lot of money. He's making $22 million this season, which is pretty hefty. The Bucks would have to include both Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton to make the money work. Some can argue if Brown is worth that and a second-rounder, but with how poor the bench has been this season, it's worth considering.
As reported in a previously mentioned piece by Fischer, the reported asking price for Brown is one first-round pick. The Bucks do not have that, but perhaps they could offer up their second, which is currently projected to be a high second-round pick, and two role players. Toronto could then aim to flip Bobby Portis for more assets as the Blazers did in the Jrue Holiday trade with the Bucks.
That's just a suggestion, as the Raptors, who are known to play hardball, could simply demand a first or hang up the phone, but it's still worth kicking the tires on.
P.J. Washington, Charlotte Hornets and Delon Wright, Washington Wizards
Rumor has it that both the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards could both be sellers at the 2024 NBA Trade Deadline. The Milwaukee Bucks should orchestrate a three-way call to try and get something done, as both teams have players who should be of interest.
This writer has been a fan of P.J. Washington for a long time. The forward stands at 6-foot-7 and can defend multiple positions while also putting points on the board. As discussed in the O'Neale section, getting a power forward who can play in small-ball lineups would be useful, and Washington would fill that role perfectly, sharpening this team's defense and versatility.
Heading toward the deadline, Charlotte appears to have embraced a sellers mentality, with ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski saying they plan to continue gathering assets after sending Terry Rozier to the Miami Heat. This package would allow that, giving them a high-end second-round pick and a quality player who could be flipped for more assets.
As for Wright, he'd be a decent backup to Damian Lillard. At 6-foot-5, he would break the mold of the Bucks adding undersized backup point guards over the past few years, instead giving them a lengthy guard who can match up against bigger guards and even some wings. His numbers this season are nothing to rave about, but he could be an excellent addition to the team's defensive personnel.
Connaughton, Payne, and a second-rounder seems like a fair offering, allowing the Wizards to acquire a pick for a player currently logging the second-fewest minutes of his ongoing career. Connaughton and Payne could either serve as veteran leaders for this young team, or they could be moved.
Dejounte Murray, Atlanta Hawks
Dejounte Murray is arguably the hottest name left on the trade market, which made it surprising that the Bucks were linked to him by Bleacher Report and TNT NBA insider Chris Haynes. If the Bucks are indeed in the hunt for Murray, it would be an all-in move to create a formidable starting five.
There are two sides to the coin with Murray. On the positive side, he would be an All-Defensive guard who could slide into the starting shooting guard spot and take on tough assignments nightly. On top of that, he's a capable 20-point per game scorer, and while those numbers would dip in Milwaukee, he could still put points on the board.
On the flipside, there are questions about how Murray would fit alongside other players who need the ball like Damian Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Khris Middleton. Would he be able to buy in as a third or fourth option? It's a very reasonable question for a player who likes to have the basketball in his hands a lot.
The fit is not seamless, but the Bucks have an opportunity to craft a starting lineup that is filled with stars from top to bottom that features plenty of offensive and defensive potential.
Financially, Murray is on an affordable $17.7 million deal, which makes him an even more attractive trade target. However, they have a hefty asking price for the guard, which is currently rumored to be two first-round picks, per Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer. Obviously, the Bucks do not have that type of draft capital, so they would need help.
The OKC Thunder, who have a treasure chest of draft picks, could perhaps be of assistance. If they make a move before the deadline, it will be to add size, in all likelihood. It wouldn't be surprising if they had interest in an established big man like Bobby Portis. Perhaps they would feel comfortable parting with one of their many firsts for Portis and Connaughton, who would be more of a throw-in.
Atlanta would acquire Davis Bertans, who would be needed for salary purposes, a first-round pick in this upcoming draft from OKC via the LA Clippers, and Milwaukee's two second-round picks. That still may not be enough to satisfy the Hawks, but it's about as much as the Bucks could possibly round up while keeping their core intact.
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