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The Milwaukee Bucks are facing an offseason in which they have many challenges regarding how to best rebuild their roster. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard are both under contract for the next few seasons and command a large portion of their salary cap. They also are paying Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez hefty salaries next season, which also complicates matters. As it all stands, the Bucks are currently in the second apron of the NBA’s salary cap.
This means that Milwaukee has heavy limitations on what kind of free agents they can sign and who they can acquire via trade. In short, the Bucks cannot send out more salary than they bring in. Any trade must have matching salaries in order to be approved by the NBA. Any free agents they sign must be inked to veteran minimum deals.
Due to these constraints, if Milwaukee is going to add meaningful talent via trade, they are also going to have to give up meaningful talent.
NBA Analyst Suggests the Milwaukee Bucks Trade Brook Lopez to the Toronto Raptors for Bruce Brown
Mar 20, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Bruce Brown (11) drives to the basket as Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) tries to defend during the second quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
One name that is one of the more realistic Bucks players that could be traded this offseason is center Brook Lopez. A former NBA Champion, Lopez turned down a bigger contract offer from the Houston Rockets last offseason to re-sign with Milwaukee. While he continues to be one of the best rim protectors in the league, he is not a versatile defender.
When one thinks about what the Bucks need in the offseason, one will likely conclude that they need more defenders who can guard multiple positions and knock down three-point shots. That is why Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer thinks a trade of Lopez to the Toronto Raptors for another former NBA Champion, Bruce Brown, would be a dream:
“League sources expect the Raptors to pick up Brown’s option this summer and then look to trade him, which comes as no surprise considering he will be 28 next season and the Raptors are rebuilding. Brown is a super versatile defender, a tone-setter, a rebounder, and a scrappy do-it-all maestro on offense. Every team should want Bruce Brown.
“There are rumblings that the Bucks would like to play a more versatile style of defense next season, which raises the question of whether Brook Lopez has a future there. Trading Brook Lopez for Brown is a perfect match of salaries, and then the Raptors could flip Lopez elsewhere. The amount of screening and cutting Brown could do in support of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard would be glorious to watch.”
As O’Connor notes, the salaries in this trade would match, which means the NBA would likely approve it. Additionally, since the Raptors would be likely to flip Lopez again after the potential trade (hopefully not to Boston…), the Bucks would not have to part with any of their draft picks.
How Would Bruce Brown Fit on the Milwaukee Bucks?
Dec 7, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Bruce Brown (11) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) during the third quarter in the NBA In Season Tournament Semifinal at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Brown would be a perfect fit for Milwaukee in that he can guard multiple positions and is a relatively reliable three-point shooter. When the Bucks traded Jrue Holiday, they lost the defensive edge that he brought to court. Even though Lillard played much better defense than he is given credit for, and even though Malik Beasley tried, they could not match what they lost in Holiday’s defense.
Brown would allow them to do this, and he can play point guard, shooting guard, or small forward. Last season, which he split between the Indiana Pacers and Raptor, Brown averaged 10.8 points, but only shot 32% from three. That being said, he is only two years removed from shooting 40.4% from three as a member of the Denver Nuggets.
Replacing Lopez’s rim defense would be difficult, but he is also aging and, let’s face it, not the athletic defender Milwaukee needs.
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Publish date : 2024-06-20 21:00:57
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