The Milwaukee Bucks made their intentions clear at the NBA Trade Deadline this year; they wanted to get younger, more athletic, play faster and push the pace.
While early season struggles exposed weaknesses in their perimeter defense and overall team speed, their trade deadline moves, in which they acquired small forward Kyle Kuzma, shooting guard Kevin Porter Jr. and center Jericho Sims, signal a shift in philosophy - one that prioritizes transition play, versatility and fresh legs around their core star players.
Adding Kuzma and Porter to the rotation instantly improves overall shot creation, as they are both capable shot creators and makers.
With Kuzma being the starting wing defender, the starters become extra big, or the Bucks can also play small ball and maintain the size with him as the small ball four. Porter improves the depth off the bench as well, which should fix a whole lot of issues, including the inconsistencies and lack of bench production the Milwaukee Bucks have had all season. Sims is known for his athleticism and defensive capabilities and brings a physical presence as a backup at the five spot behind Brook Lopez.
A midseason course correction
Since head coach Doc Rivers took over as head coach 43 games into last season, the Milwaukee Bucks have struggled to consistently establish an identity on both ends of the floor.
Their defensive issues have been well documented, but an equally glaring problem has been their inability to keep up with and guard faster, more athletic teams. Giannis Antetokounmpo remains one of the best transition players in the NBA, but beyond him, the Bucks have often looked slow, lazy and methodical while relying too heavily on half-court sets and isolation play from Damian Lillard.
By making these two moves and adding speed and athleticism in both small forward Kyle Kuzma and shooting guard Kevin Porter Jr., they are addressing a key flaw in the roster construction. It appears as though the front office and general manager Jon Horst finally came to the realization that a team featuring an aging core (such as Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton) alongside Lillard - who has never been known for his speed - badly required an injection of youth, athleticism and energy.
How the new additions fit
The Milwaukee Bucks' deadline acquisitions of Kuzma, Porter and Sims bring much-needed explosiveness to the rotation. Whether it's a wing defender who can run the floor in transition, a defensive-minded guard with quickness or a big who can switch onto multiple positions, the overall theme of the new faces is clear: the Bucks want to play faster and at a much more dynamic pace.
Fans can expect the Bucks to push the tempo more frequently, especially with Antetokounmpo leading the charge. Lillard thrives in open space as well, and having more athletic teammates such as these three around him should make it easier for him to operate. Additionally, a faster pace could take some pressure off the Milwaukee Bucks' struggling half-court offense, which has relied too heavily in the past on individual shot creation.
Acquiring Kuzma is essentially adding a backup big, which allows Bobby Portis to play a true four, as opposed to the five spot. Porter can also run the show and play the point guard spot when Lillard is off the floor. There is no doubt that Sims will help address a pressing need, which is strengthening the team's frontcourt depth. It was quite evident they needed depth when Bobby Portis recently missed six games. The increased workload on Lopez and Antetokounmpo playing heavy minutes was not ideal. Adding another 6-foot-10, 245-pound center in Sims will help alleviate this strain.
Defensive versatility also improves
One of the biggest issues for the Bucks has been their inability to contain quicker guards and wings. The trades they've made suggest they are trying to fix that by adding players who can better navigate screens, recover in transition and close out on shooters more effectively.
More speed on the perimeter should also ease the burden on Lopez and Antetokounmpo, who have had to cover too much ground when breakdowns occur, resulting in faster players blowing by them to the basket with ease. Sims' arrival will provide immediate support in the paint on both ends of the floor. He offers the Bucks additional rebounding and shot-blocking prowess. Additionally, his youth and athleticism help complement Milwaukee's existing roster while providing defensive versatility in matchups against various opponents.
Final thoughts
The Milwaukee Bucks' trade deadline moves send a clear message: the front office and coaching staff recognize their weaknesses and are trying to adjust accordingly before the playoffs.
By adding more speed and athleticism, they're giving themselves a better chance to compete against younger, more dynamic teams, specifically in the Eastern Conference. The big question now is whether head coach Doc Rivers can successfully integrate these new pieces and get the Milwaukee Bucks playing with the energy and tempo they need to make a deep postseason run.
The bottom line is this team got better and deeper by trading for Kuzma, Sims and Porter. As the Bucks aim for a deep playoff run this season, integrating Sims into their rotation could prove pivotal. His contributions on both ends of the floor will be closely watched as the Bucks seek to solidify its position as a championship contender.
Instead of continuing to play aging veterans, the Bucks added players who are either just entering their prime or are already in their prime. These are players with young, fresh legs who can play heavy minutes while at the same time providing youth, speed, length and athleticism.