The Bucks don’t have a ton of trade assets left after completing blockbuster deals in recent years for Jrue Holiday and then Damian Lillard, but they’re perusing the market in an effort to upgrade their perimeter defense, reports Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
According to Fischer, the Bucks have contacted teams to gauge the value of Portland’s 2024 second-round pick, which Milwaukee controls — it currently projects to be 35th overall, making it more valuable than a typical second-rounder. The team is exploring deals that would package that pick with wing Pat Connaughton and guard Cameron Payne, sources tell Yahoo Sports.
As Fischer explains, Payne fell out of Adrian Griffin‘s rotation earlier this month, but it’s possible new head coach Doc Rivers will want to use him more. If not, the veteran point guard would be “amenable” to a change of scenery, Fischer writes.
While the Bucks would love to acquire a player like Hawks guard Dejounte Murray or Raptors wing Bruce Brown, Bobby Portis‘ $11.7MM cap hit would almost certainly need to be includd in order to match their salaries, Fischer notes. Additionally, Atlanta and Toronto are seeking the sort of packages – two first-round picks and a starter-level player for Murray and a first-round picks for Brown – which the Bucks may not be able to offer, given their lack of tradable first-rounders.
Chicago guard Alex Caruso is likely also out of Milwaukee’s reach, given that the Bulls aren’t inclined to move him and would seek multiple first-rounders if they did, says Fischer. Players like Trail Blazers wing Matisse Thybulle and Clippers forward P.J. Tucker may be more attainable, Fischer suggests. However, Tucker’s appeal is limited, and Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report points out (via Twitter) that Thybulle has veto rights and may not be eager to play for Rivers again.
Here are a few more trade rumors from around the NBA:
- The Suns are no longer considering the possibility of trading Grayson Allen at the deadline, league sources tell Fischer. Fischer reported last week that Phoenix was gauging what a package of Allen and Nassir Little could bring back, but that seemed like it was more about due diligence, given how well the former Duke star has played this season.
- Responding to reports from Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports and Trevor Booth of Clutch Points stating that the Suns have interest in Miles Bridges and Nick Richards of the Hornets, John Gambadoro of Arizons Sports 98.7 (Twitter link) throws cold water on the Richards speculation, but suggests Phoenix could be in the mix for Bridges if the price is right.
- While Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma has been viewed as a potential in-season trade candidate, he’s under contract for several more years and Washington appears to be in no rush to move him, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on The Woj Pod. “Washington’s been very reticent with Kyle Kuzma,” Wojnarowski said (hat tip to RealGM). “… Teams tell me they call them and they’re not getting counters from Washington. If you want to register an offer for Kuzma, fine, you can do it. But they’re not at the point now where it seems like they’re really active in seriously trying to move him. It could change by the deadline, but I know (Wizards executives) Michael Winger and Will Dawkins like Kuzma, like having him there. I think they’ll be particular about what they might do.”
I like Caruso, but trading multiple 1st round picks for him??? Not happening.
That’s the point, my friend. The Bulls have no desire nor reason to trade him unless it is for a package they simply would be foolish to resist. He’s on a very team friendly contract and he’s a leader both on the court and in the locker room.
and in the shower! (I hear, of course)
Kuzma is low cost?
Sell low?
Can Lakers trade DLo for Kuzma?
Version 2.0
Bucks have an enviable amount of talent. Time for them to figure out how to translate that into success (past time for that to be honest). They’ve traded just about everything they can afford to, so this is what they have to work with. Make it work and man up.
Easier said than done. Trading Jrue for Dame and losing Allen for Beasley killed their perimeter defense. It’s going to be hard for a coaching change to fix that.
ATL is crazy to think DM is worth 2 firsts and a starter.
He’s worth EITHER a starter and a second OR a first round pick that is in the top 15 and maybe I’d throw in a decent back up with that pick (but not a starter).
Cam and Pat and AJ Green along with that 2nd the Bucks own from Portland that’s projected at 35 should be more than enough (and in a deep draft, which they all seem to be lately, that’s tantamount to a late first rounder).
ATL is not going to compete for a long time because they made the mistake of Trae. They need picks and cap space and to start blowing it all up this summer or somewhat at the deadline. This trade with the Bucks will open some cap space over the next few years, and trading away some bigger names (like Trae) could garner them the picks they need. I know some rebuilding teams are getting close and have picks stockpiled. Trae might be the right piece for one of them.
Daivon Mitchell and JaVale McGee are both out of the rotation in Sacramento and good defenders.
McGee Portis and Crowder off the bench that’s tough. Kings May value Payne as a veteran back up to Fox. They don’t really have a back up point guard and may also value his experience
I’d be inclined to try play big with Middleton at the 2 and start Crowder or Portis.
Lose some shooting in Malik Beasley but better defensively. Payne and Beasley as a backcourt duo off the bench …..?