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Milwaukee Bucks: Predictions for the 2019 NBA Trade deadline

By Brian Sampson

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 29: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks to pass against Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 29, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 29: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks to pass against Kent Bazemore #24 of the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 29, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Milwaukee Bucks are in a favorable position ahead of the 2019 NBA Trade deadline. But does that mean they will make any deals?

Following the Milwaukee Bucks 10-point victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Martin Luther King Day, they have the best record in the NBA at 34-12, mere percentage points ahead of the Toronto Raptors.

Despite the outstanding win-loss record, the Bucks have yet to hit their full stride this season. Players like Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe have waxed and waned at different points of the year. Giannis Antetokounmpo, an MVP front-runner, has been excellent, but it still feels as though he has another gear he can hit in this offense.

The top of the Eastern Conference is loaded behind the Bucks as well. The Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics are within three, four and 5.5 games of the Bucks respectively. All five teams will certainly be looking to improve ahead of the Feb 7. trade deadline.

Another interesting factor for Milwaukee is that all four starters alongside Antetokounmpo are set to become free agents this summer. Bledsoe and Brook Lopez will be unrestricted, Malcolm Brodgon restricted, and Middleton has a player option he’ll almost certainly decline-making him unrestricted as well.

Fans have speculated about the Bucks trading Bledsoe, Middleton or Brogdon at certain points throughout the season so let’s examine the viability Milwaukee moves one of those three guards.

Eric Bledsoe

Bledsoe is the point man and he makes the team go. Whenever he plays well the Bucks seem to take their game to a whole new level. Unfortunately, he’s very up and down. Despite the ups and downs, Bledsoe has put together a solid stretch over the last couple of weeks despite hitting only 30.7 percent of his threes on the season. This lack of an outside shot has made many question whether the Bucks can find an upgrade at the point and someone who fits better alongside Antetokounmpo.

Bledsoe is also 29-years-old and is looking at one last big contract. The next team that signs him could be paying a 33-year-old version $20 plus million a season. Can Milwaukee really afford that? Although that would be a bad decision, I predict the Bucks stand pat on Bledsoe. He’s been one of their best defenders this season and does a lot of things on both ends of the floor.

Malcolm Brogdon

Brogdon is on pace to join the 50/40/90 club as far as field goal percentage, three-point percentage and free throw percentage goes. Even though he has a propensity for over-dribbling, he’s been a great fit in this offense. The extra space has seemingly allowed him to get to the rim a lot easier especially since defenders have to defend him tight on the three-point line.

Brogdon will be a restricted free agent this offseason and there’s been no rumors about Milwaukee moving on from him. He’s the one player of this trio the Bucks would move on, but I predict he stays as well unless the Bucks get blown out of the water with an offer.

Khris Middleton

Middleton has drawn the ire of the fan base due to his lack of elite production this season. Although a lot of it is unwarranted, the fact that he could be looking at a maximum contract extension this offseason has a lot of fans scared. Can the Bucks really afford to pay a non-max player max money?

Although Middleton has endured a nearly season-long slump, he’s smack dab in the middle of his prime and will most likely bust out sooner than later. The Bucks will absolutely not trade their second-best player just because they don’t want to pay him in the offseason. When you have a chance to win a championship like the Bucks do this season, you keep your best players.

Next. 3 Bucks who have overachieved in 2018-19. dark

Predictions

The Bucks won’t make any drastic changes to their roster at the trade deadline this season. Their team is gelling too well and they have great locker room charisma. The front office would be taking a huge gamble by shaking that up and there’s not guarantee the players they acquire would be better than the ones they have now. Besides, they already traded John Henson and Matthew Dellavedova so they’d have enough money to sign all four starters after this season.

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