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Milwaukee Bucks: How they stack up in Eastern Conference after trade deadline

By Kenny Jilek

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after fouling during the third quarter of the game against New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 01, 2018 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 01: Brook Lopez #11 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after fouling during the third quarter of the game against New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 01, 2018 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 11: Wesley Mat thews #23 of the Indiana Pacers watches the action against the Charlotte Hornets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 11, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 11: Wesley Mat thews #23 of the Indiana Pacers watches the action against the Charlotte Hornets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 11, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Indiana Pacers

Trade Deadline Losses: None

Trade Deadline Acquisitions: Wesley Matthews (Buyout Signing), 2021 2nd Round Pick

The Indiana Pacers lost the league-wide game of hot potato that was being played with Wade Baldwin and Nik Stauskas in February. They waived both of them the day after the deadline, but they acquired a second round pick in the process. They also filled a huge need in a scoring starting shooting guard with Wesley Matthews in the buyout market.

Starting Lineup: Darren Collison, Wesley Matthews, Bojan Bogdanovic, Myles Turner, Thaddeus Young

Starting Lineup Combined Stats: 61.5 points per game, 14.0 assists per game, 24.3 rebounds per game, 105.9 Offensive Rating, 103.6 Defensive Rating, 2.3 Net Rating

Unlike Tobias Harris with the Pistons, Wesley Matthews has not firmly found his footing with his new team. At only 8 points per game in two contests so far he hasn’t been an overwhelming success. However, he will definitely increase that number after the All-Star break and provide the much-needed scoring punch that the Pacers lost when Victor Oladipo went down.

This starting lineup doesn’t dazzle with star power. Names like Bojan Bogdanovic and Darren Collison don’t really scream super team dynasty. However, they play good defense and have something that the 76ers lack-bench scoring.

Key Bench Contributors: Domantas Sabonis, Tyreke Evans, Cory Joseph, Doug McDermott

Domantas Sabonis has been one of the best scorers off the bench in the entire NBA this season. At 14.3 points per game on a very efficient 60.6 field goal shooting percentage. Tyreke Evans is also averaging in double figures at 10.4 points per game and is a proven scorer at 15.9 career points per game and can explode for big numbers on any given night. Cory Joseph and Doug McDermott both help out by spacing the floor to allow Sabonis to work in the post

Without Oladipo, this team no longer has a go-to scorer. What it has is a large stable of guys who can all put up around 15 points consistently and any one of them can get hot and get 30 points in a single game.

This team is built well and their new intense defensive mindset might make them tough to beat. They could make some noise in the playoffs if Matthews can get his footing offensively and they continue to show grit on the other end of the court.

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