For weeks now, Milwaukee Bucks fans have proposed the idea of the team targeting Atlanta Hawks big man Larry Nance Jr. ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline.
The recently-turned 32-year-old certainly has some desirability, as he's a mobile big man who can score, rebound, defend and simply serve as a versatile do-it-all piece. There's not much to dislike, especially after NBA insider Jake Fischer made it clear that the Milwaukee Bucks are looking for a lob threat to complement Brook Lopez, a role that Nance would fill quite well.
While Nance would be a fitting target for the Milwaukee Bucks, a recent update clouds things mightily.
Milwaukee Bucks' potential trade target will be undergoing surgery
Larry Nance Jr. is set to undergo surgery to repair a fracture in his hand, and he will be out of the lineup indefinitely.
With how often the Milwaukee Bucks have battled injuries in recent memory, adding another player who will be on the sidelines for the foreseeable future might not be the best idea. Sure, they could have the long game in mind if they were to make a trade now, but there's currently no timeline on his eventual return, making it far more risky to do so.
Perhaps there will be a clearer timetable once Nance officially undergoes the surgery, painting a better picture regarding the risk of this trade.
The Milwaukee Bucks currently have just about one month to get everything sorted out ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. Outside of Fischer's report regarding another lob threat, there has not been too much chatter regarding who or what this team may be seeking. That could change in the blink of an eye, but for now, it leaves Bucks fans guessing.
Whether it's Larry Nance Jr. or someone else, the Milwaukee Bucks should be on the hunt for defense and athleticism ahead of the deadline. Those two attributes were crucial in helping Milwaukee bounce back from their poor start to the season, and they could certainly be useful in continuing their recent run of success, whether it's in the form of another big man or perhaps a lengthy wing.
This Larry Nance Jr. situation will be worth keeping an eye on, but given how active the Bucks always are on the trade market, there is plenty of doubt that he's the only target on their wish list.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis and trade updates.