5 Trade Candidates Milwaukee Bucks Have Reportedly Expressed Interest In

The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly active in the trade market, a tradition under general manager Jon Horst.

Horst almost always finds a way to make a move leading up to or around the deadline. His in-season trades include Eric Bledsoe (2017), Tyler Zeller (2018), George Hill (2018), Nikola Mirotic (2019), P.J. Tucker (2021) and Serge Ibaka (2022). Although not all of them have worked out, he’s found a way to give his team a chance to improve down the stretch.

It appears he’s working the phone once again and is looking for a way to upgrade the Bucks’ roster.

Milwaukee is difficult to evaluate. Their 30-17 record is good enough for third place in the Eastern Conference, but they’re quickly losing ground to the Boston Celtics at the top. They also have clear needs for a fourth big man, a bigger wing defender and a quality backup point guard.

On the flip side, they haven’t had Khris Middleton for most of the season while Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday have missed time as well. Those three have played sparingly together all season and can fill a lot of holes on the court.

Horst won’t get enough time to evaluate his team at full strength before he’s forced to pull the trigger on a trade (the trade deadline is February 9th). To get an idea about the types of player’s he’s targeting, here are five players the Bucks have been connected to on the rumor market.

Bojan Bogdanovic, Forward, Detroit Pistons

Bogdanovic is a coveted player on the market and it’s easy to see why. He’s averaging 21.5 points and 2.7 assists per game while posting a 57.7 percent effective field goal percentage—all career-highs. He’s a sniper from deep, able to shoot off the catch or create his own open look.

His contract would be the most difficult aspect of any trade for the Bucks. He makes $19.3 million this season ($20 million next year and $19 million in 2024-25) meaning Milwaukee would have to give up a plethora of players or someone in their top five to make a deal work. Some possibilities to match salary are:

• Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton and Jordan Nwora
• Allen, Joe Ingles and Serge Ibaka
• Allen, George Hill, Nwora and Ibaka
• Bobby Portis, Hill and Nwora.

None of them are ideal for the Bucks.

Cam Reddish, Wing, New York Knicks

New York’s price for Cam Reddish continues to drop and they are reportedly willing to move on from him for one second-round pick. That might be too high at this point.

Reddish can’t find a way on the court and hasn’t played in 25 straight games due to a coaching decision. Even at his peak, he was a below-average three-point shooter, extremely inefficient scorer who can’t set his teammates up either and an average wing-defender. He wouldn’t help Milwaukee win a championship this season.

If we’re taking a glass half full approach: He’s only 23-years-old and still has time to turn it around. You really have to squint your eyes and tilt your head to see it that way, however.

Jae Crowder, Forward, Phoenix Suns

The Bucks have been connected with Crowder since the beginning of the season when he refused to report to Phoenix. Crowder is upset because he feels he should be a starter and wants to secure the bag after this season (he’s an unrestricted free agent in 2023).

On paper, he’d fit nicely into Milwaukee’s starting lineup alongside Holiday and Middleton. He’d provide elite defense and would give them another big body to battle against Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in the postseason. He can also make enough shots to ensure the defense doesn’t completely ignore him.

It’s everything else I’m worried about. He obviously values himself highly and who knows how he’d affect the team’s chemistry. I’m also not sure he’s an upgrade over Allen. The two have completely different skillsets and each can be useful to the Bucks. If there’s a way to get him to Milwaukee while keeping Allen, I’d be on board. Perhaps, a Hill, Nwora, Ibaka and a second round pick in exchange for Crowder,?

Eric Gordon, Wing, Houston Rockets

Milwaukee reportedly offered four second-round picks for Gordon and Houston turned it down. I’m not sure how I feel about that considering his salary is very similar to Bogdanovic and the Bucks would also have to give up a plethora of players to make the deal work.

Gordon would be a nice addition on both ends of the court. He’s a bit undersized, but is a tough defender who can hold his own. He’s also a dynamic three-point shooter (warning: he’s been a below-average three-point shooter in three of the past four seasons) and could space the floor nicely alongside the Bucks’ big three. There are better targets worth Milwaukee’s time.

Malik Beasley, Wing, Utah Jazz

One of those better targets is Malik Beasley. We haven’t heard much about him and the Bucks, but Milwaukee is reportedly interested in the Utah wing.

Beasley can score in bunches when he needs to. He takes most of his shots from behind the arc (he averages 8.5 per game) and knocks them down with above-average accuracy. That volume alone would help Milwaukee’s offense.

His salary would be tricky to match and would likely include shipping Allen away. He’s set to make $15.5 million this season with a team option for $16.5 million in 2023-24.