The Milwaukee Bucks have been calling around the association trying to make a deal, and a potential trade partner just surfaced.
According to The Athletic's Sam Amick, the Brooklyn Nets are "expected to be open for business," when it comes to trade discussions. While Milwaukee's second apron restrictions prevent them from making a legitimate run at household players like Dorian Finney-Smith or Cameron Johnson, there is still one player who could make sense for the Bucks to go after: Ziaire Williams.
The Milwaukee Bucks should pursue Ziaire Williams
Early this season, the Bucks have had a youth uprising, with players like Andre Jackson Jr., AJ Green and Ryan Rollins all cracking the rotation. The athleticism, hustle and speed these three bring to the table has given this team a needed jolt. Those three are all wings, and the Bucks should look to inject that same formula into the frontcourt with an athletic forward.
Enter Nets youngster Ziaire Williams.
The 6-foot-9, 23-year-old possesses eye-catching athleticism, which he uses to his advantage as a versatile defender who can switch between positions. This is a vital area that both Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis have struggled in this season, as they simply don't move well, especially against quicker guards and wings. Adding Williams into the fold would allow Doc Rivers to combat this.
He's not a traditional center by any means, but still, Williams could allow the Bucks to get creative in their rotation-making, even if they have to go a little smaller. Having a tall, lengthy chess piece such as
Ziaire Williams could make things easier for Giannis Antetokounmpo when the Milwaukee Bucks have him play the center position, especially due to the defensive versatility shared between the two.
Williams is not a perfect fit for the Bucks offensively, as he has shot just 30 percent from deep for his NBA career, but he's still having the best year of his career as a scorer with 9.6 points per game. Even if it's not coming from the perimeter, another capable scoring threat would be nice off the bench.
Another intriguing reason the Bucks should be taking notes on Williams is due to his contract. He is making $6.1 million this season, which is very reasonable and doable for a team stuck in the second apron like the Milwaukee Bucks are. They would certainly have to attach draft capital, but the Bucks could use Pat Connaughton's $9.4 million salary as the outgoing money in exchange for Williams.
With Connaughton seemingly falling out of Milwaukee's rotation recently, it would make sense to deal him for a player who could play a more prominent role at a position of need.
It wouldn't be the flashiest move, but trading for Ziaire Williams could give the Bucks a needed spark and even more assurance that this team understands the importance of youth.
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