Milwaukee Bucks: Trade or Keep for Biggest Assets

First Round Pick

This pick is an important one because it’s the big one that they got in the Malcolm Brogdon trade last summer, a move that is still controversial for many Bucks fans. Nailing this pick or using it as a resource to acquire something even better would make the move a lot more justifiable. With a few more wins for other teams and losses for the Pacers, this pick could have easily been in the late teens, but unfortunately, the way things fell in the bubble, the Milwaukee Bucks’ pick sits at 24.

The 24th pick doesn’t sound near as nice as 19th, but it’s still a first-round pick, and there’s always value to be found after the lottery, and all the flashy players are gone. They could also use this pick and some other pieces to trade up or down, an option I discussed in an article about three huge moves the Bucks could make this offseason. That, I wouldn’t quite consider “trading,” however, because they would still be making a selection in the NBA draft.

Trading it would really mean using it as a piece in a bigger trade or using it to get a proven role player. This is where it differs from most of the other pieces. They would mostly be included in a massive trade that would change everything, and the pick could be too, but it could also be used in a slightly different way.

Because of Donte’s potential, Hill and Lopez’s age, and Bledsoe’s value, none of them would be traded in essentially a lateral move for a different role player like a 3-and-D wing. This pick, however, might have value to a team who really wants a guy that was in the teens on their draft board and fell. It would take the right team and the right offer, but if the Bucks felt they were getting a proven talent that could push the needle enough to get them over the hump instead of a throw at the dartboard with the draft, they could make the move.

I also think that this pick is a better option to trade than DiVincenzo if the Bucks were to pursue a big target. At 24, it might not provide quite as much value as Donte, but first-round picks tend to carry a good amount of weight in this league because the value of the unknown and potentially great is seen by executives as some great adventure and possibility. General Manager Jon Horst could and should leverage that in an attempt to acquire a big name.

Trade or Keep: Trade

What do you think of these assessments of the Milwaukee Bucks’ assets? Who are your biggest trade targets for the offseason? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @DairylandXpress.