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Milwaukee Bucks: Likelihood They Make A Trade At The Deadline

By Brian Sampson

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks watches during the first half against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on November 06, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 06: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks watches during the first half against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on November 06, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. /
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With the NBA’s trade deadline just days away, what is the likelihood the Milwaukee Bucks make a deal to improve their odds at an NBA Championship?

Everything appears quiet surrounding the Milwaukee Bucks just days away from the NBA’s trade deadline. Too quiet.

Despite leading the second-place team in the Eastern Conference by a whopping 6.5 games, the Bucks could be one of the teams looking to upgrade their roster. Although it will be difficult considering they don’t have any gaping holes, it won’t be impossible.

As it stands right now, the Bucks have too many rotational pieces to play. Their depth has been a major strength of their team and a big reason why they’re still on pace to win 70 freakin’ games this season. However, with NBA-caliber players like D.J. Wilson, Sterling Brown and Pat Connaughton riding the pine on a nightly basis, will they try to consolidate assets and upgrade their rotation?

There’s nothing imminent, but ESPN’s Zach Lowe cited the Bucks as a team to watch. Perhaps, the franchise is weary after playing so well in the regular season last year, yet still coming up short of their ultimate goal. And the pressure is on to re-sign Giannis Antetokounmpo considering he’s eligible to agree to the supermax this summer. It might be tough for Milwaukee to convince him to sign for another five years without at least an appearance in the NBA Finals.

Lowe also shares opposing teams have been asking about Brown. Brown is set to become a restricted free agent after this season and it’s probably unlikely Milwaukee brings him back. He’s a useful wing player who hangs his hat on tough, gritty defense.

Unfortunately, he’s been too erratic offensive for the Bucks to play. He began last postseason as a starter against the Detroit Pistons, but quickly fell out of the rotation in the second round after the Boston Celtics completely ignored him on offense.

Brown isn’t enough to bring back a useful player for the Bucks. His low salary presents another issue. If Milwaukee is going to acquire a useful rotational player come May and June, Ersan Ilyasova will likely have to be involved for salary-matching purposes. That would be a hard pill for Mike Budenholzer to swallow considering Ilyasova appears to be his man through and through.

Bucks: 3 wishes for Trade Deadline. dark. Next

This is just conjecture, but some names to keep an eye out for might be Robert Covington and Bogan Bogdanovic. Both players would fit into Milwaukee’s top seven and bring unique talents to the organization. Of course, there are barriers to any potential deal with either player.

There are definitely hurdles in the way of acquiring a player at the deadline, but crazier things have happened. If the Bucks want to win a title and retain Antetokounmpo, they might have to take a little risk to prove themselves.

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