{"id":38008,"date":"2021-03-13T12:00:03","date_gmt":"2021-03-13T17:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=38008"},"modified":"2021-03-23T18:34:15","modified_gmt":"2021-03-23T22:34:15","slug":"three-trade-options-for-the-milwaukee-bucks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2021\/03\/13\/three-trade-options-for-the-milwaukee-bucks\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Trade Options for the Milwaukee Bucks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> were the best team in the Eastern Conference just a year ago<\/a>. In fact, they were the presumed favorites to face the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> in the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n

Everybody knows what happened. The Miami Heat<\/a> upset them and eventually went on to face the Lakers in the Finals. The Bucks couldn’t figure out how to top the Heat, and Head Coach Mike Budenholzer’s job status was in flux.<\/p>\n

Then in the offseason, Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a><\/strong> signed a huge contract extension, tying himself to Milwaukee for another few years. They acquired Jrue Holiday<\/a><\/strong> for Eric Bledsoe<\/a>,<\/strong> and they took a gamble on Bobby Portis<\/a> <\/strong>on a reserve role (a move that’s worked out well).<\/p>\n

Nonetheless, the Bucks need to find a way to make a trade to better their chances of fighting for supremacy in the East.<\/p>\n

The Milwaukee Bucks Need to Make a Trade<\/h2>\n

The Bucks are fresh out of the All-Star break with a 22-14 record, good for third in the Eastern Conference. That’s good news.<\/p>\n

The bad news is that they are chasing the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> and Brooklyn Nets<\/a>, both of whom have been cemented at the top for some time. The Nets just added Blake Griffin<\/a> <\/strong>and the Sixers have been linked to other players such as Will Barton from the Denver Nuggets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With that being said, the Bucks need to make a trade if they want to compete for a conference title. Their bench is, well, not very good.<\/p>\n

Portis has been a nice surprise this year, but that’s about it for the Bucks’ bench unit. Bryn Forbes<\/a> <\/strong>filled in nicely for Holiday, but when it comes down to it, that’s not a scary option.<\/p>\n

Pat Connaughton is a half-way decent player that does a lot of little things right. Besides Connaughton, there is only D.J. Augustin and Torrey Craig. <\/strong>That’s not sustainable as they get into the playoff stretch.<\/p>\n

Here are three players the Bucks should target on the trade market as the deadline approaches.<\/p>\n

J.J. Redick<\/h3>\n

This one makes the most sense for a number of reasons. J.J. Redick<\/a><\/strong> can score, shoot, defend, and can easily slide into the starting lineup as a two or three guard.<\/p>\n

More importantly, Redick is itching for a title opportunity and has been a fixture in the playoffs more often than not. The New Orleans Pelicans<\/a> are fading quickly in the Western Conference and are better off getting rid of Redick for whatever they can get back in return.<\/p>\n

\n

36 years old and JJ Redick hasn\u2019t slowed down one bit. pic.twitter.com\/Ge1yU20PqN<\/a><\/p>\n

— BlueDevilStop (@BlueDevilStop) December 25, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n