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Recapping the Trade Deadline for the Milwaukee Bucks & the East

By Harrison Carter

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Serge Ibaka #9 of the LA Clippers during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February 28, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 28: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks is defended by Serge Ibaka #9 of the LA Clippers during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on February 28, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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One of the busiest trade deadlines in recent memory has come and gone. Many teams, including the Milwaukee Bucks, have reshaped and restructured their rosters. Let’s take a look at how the Milwaukee Bucks now shape up against the rest of the Eastern Conference.

Milwaukee Bucks Add To Their Frontcourt

The most relevant news to the Bucks is obviously the trade that they made, so let’s start there. In a four team deal, the Bucks added center Serge Ibaka, a pair of second-round picks, and cash considerations. Milwaukee would trade away Donte DiVincenzo to the Sacramento Kings and Rodney Hood and Semi Ojele to the Los Angeles Clippers. The full trade is as follows:

The two second-round picks the Bucks are receiving are in 2023 ( the lower of Cleveland and Golden State) and 2024 (Portland via Sacramento), according to The Athletic’s Eric Nehm. There is no protection on Portland’s 2024 pick.

Ibaka is averaging 6.6 points and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 38.7 percent from 3 this year. While Ibaka has been limited to just 15.4 minutes per game in 35 games, when he has played, he has been efficient as he has a true shooting percentage of 56.7 percent.

Although Ibaka has aged and has some injury concerns, he still provides strong interior defense. Ibaka defends 7.4 2-pointers per game, and opponents are shooting 50.8 percent on those shots, comparing similarly to Giannis Antetokounmpo (48.7 percent). Ibaka’s block totals may not be what they used to be, but he still has the capabilities to be an interior enforcer in the playoffs behind Brook Lopez if he returns.

The trade also frees up multiple roster slots for Milwaukee, allowing the Bucks to be active in the buyout market. The Bucks have already been reportedly linked to Goran Dragic, yet it appears that Dragic may be on his way to Dallas.

Overall, this is a strong trade for the Milwaukee Bucks, who improve their frontcourt depth, add to their draft capital, free up roster spots, and show a commitment to winning by adding $8.3 million to their luxury tax which is now the fourth highest in the league.

Philadelphia and Brooklyn Blockbuster

As the deadline approached, word came in that the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets agreed to a mega trade surrounding star James Harden. The details of that trade are as follows:

Both the 76ers and the Nets are now two completely different teams, and both teams have to feel pretty good about this trade, all things considered. The 76ers get to pair Harden with Joel Embiid, making a deadly offensive combo while keeping their young pieces in Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle. The Nets acquire Ben Simmons, who will now be in a new franchise and given a fresh start. He will be surrounded by shooting with Seth Curry, Patty Mills, and obviously Kevin Durant.

The Milwaukee Bucks still match up well to both squads as of now. The 76ers won’t be world-beaters defensively on the perimeter by any means, as Harden and Tobias Harris are not the best defenders and could allow for mismatches for Khris Middleton or Jrue Holiday. Defensively, the Bucks have the defenders to throw at Philly’s stars. Holiday would most likely guard Harden, and Lopez (if healthy) would matchup on Embiid while Giannis could provide help in the paint if needed.

As for the Nets, the key to beating them in a potential series would be to dominate the paint, similar to last year’s series. The Nets still have no solid interior defenders, as Lopez and Giannis would hopefully be able to get whatever they want against Nicolas Claxton and Andre Drummond.

Other Trades in the East

There was a flurry of other trades in the Eastern Conference as well. Other significant acquisitions at the deadline in the East include:

  • Raptors acquire Thaddeus Young from the Spurs
  • Celtics acquire Derrick White from the Spurs
  • Hornets acquire Montrezl Harrell from the Wizards
  • Wizards acquire Kristaps Porzingis from the Mavericks
  • Celtics acquire Daniel Theis from the Rockets

Related Story. Bucks trade for much-needed frontcourt depth in 4-team deal. light

Overall, there are not too many moves that reshape the landscape of the East other than the Harden trade. The Milwaukee Bucks should still like where they stand amongst the best teams in the conference. The Bucks have the chemistry advantage over teams like the 76ers and the Nets, which is an added bonus. Milwaukee’s focus should now shift to getting Ibaka up to speed with the team and scouring the buyout market for potential rotation pieces.

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