Back to back first round exits have put the Milwaukee Bucks under a microscope this NBA off-season.
While injuries have played a significant factor in those early demises, roster construction has as well. The Bucks clearly believe in general manager Jon Horst, as they plan to retain him this off-season after there was speculation that he might be out. It will be up to him to make the necessary adjustments to put this team in the best position to win next season.
That said, let us break down one trade target and two possible free agent signings that could help the Milwaukee Bucks bounce back.
The trade target - Alex Caruso
It's beyond apparent that the Milwaukee Bucks need to bring in perimeter defenders this off-season, so they should pursue one of the best in Alex Caruso.
The one-time All-Defensive honoree has made a living in the association due to his irritating defense and hustle. At 6-foot-5, he's a versatile guard who can tackle players of all different shapes and sizes, never backing down from a challenge. Having a two-guard like that next to Damian Lillard would make life much easier for Lillard, allowing him to focus more on his offensive output.
While defense is his calling card, Caruso is no slouch on offense either. In fact, he's coming off of his best year offensively, averaging a career best 10.1 points and 1.9 3-point makes per game. As a solid outside shooter and capable ball-handler, he would fit in seamlessly alongside Milwaukee's other key cogs on that side of the floor.
As for the trade itself, the Bucks would give away several of their most prized assets. Milwaukee will have a nice amount of tradeable draft capital this coming off-season, as well as digestible salaries from veteran players like Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis. They will also have youngsters such as MarJon Beauchamp and Chris Livingston, who could be sweeteners.
The big hold-up in this potential proposal could be that ESPN's Zach Lowe (subscription required) reported previously that Caruso could net the Chicago Bulls multiple first-round picks. That's a bit steep of an asking price, but perhaps the Bucks could aim to entice them with the picks they do have, such as a first and an early second-round pick in this upcoming draft.
The first free agent target - Kris Dunn
As is tradition year after year, the Milwaukee Bucks face uncertainty with the backup point guard position heading into the off-season.
Although Patrick Beverley proved to be a strong post trade deadline addition, it's unclear if he will be back in green next season, especially after hinting that he'd like a bump in pay. If the team is unable to re-sign Beverley for the minimum, they could very well have to scout the market for a replacement, and a player who could fit nicely is Kris Dunn.
Prior to acquiring Beverley, the Bucks actually did hold an interest in Dunn, per Yahoo Sports insider Jake Fischer. The fit made sense, as Dunn, who had a bit of a resurgence with the Utah Jazz this past year after bouncing around for several years, proved to be a pesky defender and capable guard in a starting or reserve role.
In 66 games with Utah, including 32 starts, this past season, Dunn averaged 5.4 points, 3.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds and a steal in 18.9 minutes per game. He'd give Milwaukee scoring, passing and tough defense nightly in a backup point guard role.
If Beverley bolts, the Bucks would be justified in reigniting their interest. The guard, who just turned 30 years old, could likely be had on a team-friendly deal, especially if he wants to take a similar route to Malik Beasley, who signed with the Bucks on a minimum deal last off-season in hopes of cashing out the following free agency after helping a contender.
The second free agent target - Naji Marshall
With very little spending money, the Milwaukee Bucks need to buy low on a high-reward candidate in NBA free agency. A player who fits the mold is Naji Marshall.
Like Dunn, the Bucks were also reportedly interested in Marshall at the trade deadline, as reported in the same tidbit from Fischer. Their interest was very reasonable, as the Bucks were hunting for more size and versatility on the perimeter, two things that the 6-foot-7 Marshall could have brought to the table in Milwaukee.
With great size and length, the 26-year-old forward could give the Bucks a possible wing-stopper on the defensive end, something they have longed for. He's also decent on the offensive end, coming off a season where he averaged 7.1 points per game while shooting a career-best 38.7 percent from the perimeter. Strong two-way play like that is exactly what this Milwaukee team needs.
The Athletic’s Will Guillory said on a recent episode of the HoopsHype Podcast that the New Orleans Pelicans are "sold" that Marshall will leave them in the off-season due to the team's other financial situations. He notes that Marshall will aim to get himself paid. If that does not pan out, perhaps he'd be willing to take a prove-it deal with a contender to showcase his worth like Malik Beasley.
If they could snag him on a minimum deal, this would be a low-risk move for the Milwaukee Bucks, who will be hunting for wing defense and versatility.
The possible new look Bucks
In these hypothetical scenarios, the Milwaukee Bucks would bulk up their guard and wing depth with a trio of quality pieces. They would surround their star-studded Big 3 with a high-quality role player and two under-the-radar players who could fill major roster holes at a low cost.
The Caruso trade would be the biggest addition, giving the team a strong upgrade at the two-guard spot who could improve the team's perimeter efforts nightly. He'd be tasked with taking on the tough assignments nightly and helping the Milwaukee Bucks become an incredibly versatile defensive unit. He and Damian Lillard would be a fascinating one-two punch in the backcourt.
Dunn would be a nice addition to the bench as a backup ball-handler if Beverley leaves, helping the Bucks get younger while giving them a sparkplug who can be a jack of all trades. Marshall would fit right in and provide Milwaukee depth at the forward position, as they will almost certainly lose both Jae Crowder and Danilo Gallinari once free agency opens.
These moves would check off all of the boxes for Milwaukee, helping them get younger, more athletic and, perhaps most importantly, improve mightily on the defensive side of the floor.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.