The NBA has quickly shifted from a league dominated by top-heavy payrolls to well-balanced rosters. To help the Milwaukee Bucks catch up with the times, ESPN writers recently proposed a new trade to help the team balance things out with a trio of quality role players. It wouldn't be cheap, but it may be of use as a blueprint as Milwaukee looks to shift its long-running roster-constructing philosophy.
Bucks go for depth, versatility in ESPN's mock trade
Milwaukee's most prominent question marks currently reside at the center and point guard positions. Bobby Portis, Jericho Sims, and Brook Lopez can all hit free agency. The same goes for Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr., while Damian Lillard is injured. This trade, or something close to it, would see them tackle both of those issues head-on.
Wendell Carter Jr. is the type of athletic, floor-spacing big man the Milwaukee Bucks could use as they aim to get more mobile at the position. Ayo Dosunmu, 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-10.25 wingspan, would give Milwaukee a quality one-through-three defender who can also take on facilitating duties. Jett Howard could be a nice low-risk gamble for a team that could always use more forward depth.
Importantly, they are all young. Carter just turned 26. Dosunmu is 25. Howard is 21. The Bucks must do away with their long-standing strategy of bringing in mercenaries as one-year rentals. To get with the times, they must build out their roster with young players who can grow with the core and serve as potential long-term pieces.
Look at Indiana and OKC, the two teams in the NBA Finals. They made it to where they are because they field 15-deep rosters that are almost entirely devoid of weak links. The superstars are there to lead the way, but role players, like T.J. McConnell, Cason Wallace, Aaron Nesmith, and Alex Caruso, are all role players who can come in and change the game in the blink of an eye.
The Milwaukee Bucks desperately need that formula.
To be clear, this particular trade isn't perfect. The Magic getting one of the most desirable first-round picks in the entire NBA and a swap for a center who just had a down year and a young prospect who hasn't sniffed a consistent role would be a hefty price to pay. However, it's the thought that counts. This is the thought process the Milwaukee Bucks must have when it comes to renovating the roster.
This particular trade might not be the best option, but there are others out there.
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