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The Milwaukee Bucks have one singular goal this season: win another NBA Championship. They certainly have the star power to get it done with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard on their roster. Both players were voted as NBA All-Star Game starters last season and are both members of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. Now that they have a full offseason in which to work out together (the Lillard trade happened right before training camp last year), they should be able to find the best ways in which to play together.
The Bucks also have Khris Middleton who, despite what many may believe, is one of the best third options in the NBA. Without him, the Bucks may not have even lasted six games in their opening round loss to the Indian Pacers this past postseason. Without Giannis and a healthy Lillard, Middleton averaged 24.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 48/35/90 from the floor.
What the Bucks do need, however, is more athletic and versatile defenders, which they have spent this offseason acquiring.
The Milwaukee Bucks Have Gotten Younger and More Versatile Through Free Agency and the NBA Draft
Mar 26, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Taurean Prince (12) puts up a shot against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
The Bucks were at point thought to be shopping one or both of the picks in the NBA Draft in order to add a player that could help them win right now. Instead, they used both of their picks on 19-year-old prospects that may need some time before they can contribute to an NBA roster. AJ Johnson was taken in the first round and Tyler Smith was taken in the second.
Due to their immense salary cap, the Bucks are not currently able to make any signings above the veteran minimum. However, they have been able to sign two significant free agents: point guard Delon Wright and power forward Taurean Prince.
These two players are both good defenders and can shoot the three. Both are also expected to come off of Milwaukee’s bench as well, strengthening their secondary unit.
However, one NBA analyst thinks the Bucks should make another move, one that would cost them their starting center.
NBA Analyst from The Athletic Suggests the Milwaukee Bucks Trade Brook Lopez to the Detroit Pistons
Dec 2, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11), right, and Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
James L. Edwards III of The Athletic recently suggested a trade that would send Brook Lopez to the Detroit Pistons as part of an article he wrote exploring five different potential trade partners for Detroit. Of the hypothetical trade with Milwaukee, he wrote:
“Milwaukee is currently $11.5 million over the cap, and there have been rumors of Brook Lopez and his expiring contract potentially being moved. Detroit could step in and give the Bucks some youth and open up the nontaxpayer MLE to add another piece or two.
“Here is what a trade would have to look like to, potentially, satisfy both sides:
Pistons receive Brook Lopez and a future first-round pick (2031).Bucks receive Jalen Duren.
“For Detroit, this move gets an elite rim protector and shooter from the center spot while also adding some draft capital. On Milwaukee’s end, and I’m not sure if the Bucks’ fan base will love this, but it gets a recent lottery pick under team control who can play now while also opening up a significant exception to use. This deal seems very far-fetched, but it doesn’t feel impossible.”
Jalen Duren is a six-foot-ten center who averaged 13.8 points and 11.6 rebounds for the Pistons last season. He has only been in the NBA for two years, so he does have plenty of team control left. Adding him would allow the Bucks to immediately fill the starting center spot that Lopez would leave if moved.
The downside, though, is that Duren is not a three-point shooter. Whereas Lopez can spread the floor on offense, Duren cannot. This could create issues for both Giannis and Lillard who like to drive inside and kickout passes to open shooters.
Still, it is an intriguing idea on how the Bucks could get younger at center.
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Publish date : 2024-07-05 18:10:06
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