Milwaukee Bucks Final Trade Deadline Big Board

The 2023 NBA Trade deadline is nearly upon us, and the Milwaukee Bucks will have some big decisions to make.

They’ve won eight straight games heading into the deadline and are clicking on all cylinders with Khris Middleton back in the lineup. However, they are not yet at full strength as Bobby Portis has missed the last seven games with an MCL sprain in his right knee. They’ve gone the entire season without having their entire team, making it difficult for general manager Jon Horst to evaluate his club.

Even without all of their guys, it’s clear the Bucks are peers with the Boston Celtics (and maybe the Philadelphia 76ers?) as the class of the Eastern Conference. Still, there’s always room to upgrade. Here are the top 16 trade candidates the Bucks could potentially be interested in.

Milwaukee Bucks Final Trade Deadline Big Board

1. Kelly Oubre Jr., Wing, Hornets
2. Jae Crowder, Forward, Suns
3. Immanuel Quickley, Wing, Knicks
4. Bojan Bogdanovic, Forward, Pistons
5. Alex Caruso, Point, Bulls
6. Jordan Clarkson, Combo, Jazz
7. Josh Richardson, Wing, Spurs
8. Josh Hart, Wing, Trail Blazers
9. Jarred Vanderbilt, Big, Jazz
10. PJ Washington, Forward, Hornets
11. Jakob Poeltl, Big, Spurs
12. Naz Reid, Big, Timberwolves
13. Jalen McDaniels, Wing, Hornets
14. John Wall, Point, Clippers
15. Cam Reddish, Wing, Knicks
16. Alec Burks, Wing, Pistons

Jae Crowder

The Bucks have been linked to Jae Crowder since before the season began and a deal has yet to materialize. It has probably been put on hold in recent weeks with the sale of the Suns going through and then with Kyrie Irving demanding a trade (Phoenix was reportedly making offers for the All-Star point guard).

Milwaukee continues to remain patient with their offer of spare parts—Jordan Nwora, George Hill, Serge Ibaka and second round picks according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. I’m okay with that type of deal, just as long as Milwaukee doesn’t include Grayson Allen or a player currently in their regular rotation. Crowder has sat all year, wants to be a starter and wants to get paid this offseason. That’s a lot of red flags.

Bojan Bogdanovic

Bogdanovic is the only player I included on this list whose salary doesn’t really work for the Bucks—he’s making $19.43 million this year, $20 million in 2023-24 and $19 million in 2024-25.

However, Milwaukee was once again connected to the forward when Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fisher reported Milwaukee has recently been linked to him. He went on to share that Detroit is asking for at least one unprotected first-round pick for the forward. Milwaukee has a 2029 first they can move in a deal.

In a vacuum, Bogdanovic would be a nice addition to this Bucks’ squad. He can create his own shot, shoot threes, get others involved and plays with a snarl. His defense is questionable, but Milwaukee has enough quality defenders to hide him.

It’s the real world acquisition that worries me. He’s due $39 million the next two years and will be 34-years-old before the end of the season. Also, any deal for him would be something like Grayson Allen, George Hill, Serge Ibaka, Jordan Nwora and draft compensation (unless Milwaukee is going to give up Joe Ingles, Pat Connaughton or Bobby Portis to increase the matching salaries required to make a legal trade). That sounds like way too much and would leave Milwaukee scrambling to fill out their roster.

Immanuel Quickley

If we’re looking at players who can help this season and provide a long-term boost, Quickley might be that guy. He’s only 23-years-old and has leveled up his game this season. I’m interested to see how he fits alongside Jrue Holiday in the backcourt.

Cam Reddish

Going in the opposite direction, I don’t understand the Bucks’ interest in Reddish. He hasn’t shown much upside since entering the NBA and has a hefty contract to boot ($6 million this year before entering restricted free agency next season). I could maybe see it as part of a larger deal, but not as the entree.

Toronto Raptors

It seems the biggest piece to the NBA’s trade puzzle is what the Toronto Raptors are going to do (now that Kyrie Irving has been traded). The Bucks don’t have the salaries to get in on any of their big pieces—OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam or Gary Trent Jr. They may have to wait to see how it plays out before other partners are willing to strike a deal with them.

Utah Jazz

Danny Ainge is reportedly driving a hard bargain in any trade discussions, scaring other teams from wanting to make a deal with them. The Bucks could be interested in a couple of players they have (see the rankings above), but not at an unreasonably high price. There will likely be better deals to had elsewhere.

Serge Ibaka

In my opinion, Ibaka will certainly be traded by the deadline. He hasn’t been with the team for a while now and wants out. Most importantly: Trading him will save the Bucks a lot of money. The Athletic’s John Hollinger reports Milwaukee could trade Ibaka and $2 million cash and still save close to $10 million in tax and salary. That’s too good of a deal to pass up.