The Milwaukee Bucks have less than two months to attempt to upgrade their roster through the trade market. This season's NBA Trade Deadline falls on February 6th.
Their main priority should be acquiring defensive-minded depth--both perimeter defenders and rim-protectors. The Los Angeles Clippers, like the Bucks, are looking to make adjustments to help along their incoming playoff push. This could result in the Clippers and Bucks becoming eventual trade partners.
In recent reports, Bobby Portis' expendability was revealed. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, "Sources confirmed to ESPN that Milwaukee had a deal in place last season to send Portis to Dallas for Grant Williams."
Clearly, Portis is a name to monitor as the trade deadline approaches. A trade between the two teams could look similar to the following:
Bucks receive: Nicolas Batum, Kris Dunn, Amir Coffey, PJ Tucker, Kobe Brown
Clippers receive: Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, AJ Johnson, Chris Livingston, Tyler Smith, 2031 second-round pick
Batum and Coffey are impactful floor-spacers to surround Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Batum is a connective passer who also is a switchable defender with his combination of mobility paired with his 6-foot-8 frame. The veteran French wing is shooting 37.3 percent from three this season, with 79 percent of his attempts are from distance. Meanwhile, Coffey is shooting 41.4 percent from three.
Dunn would be the Bucks' long-awaited lockdown perimeter defender--he is grabbing 1.7 steals per game on the year. While his shooting isn't a strength, he offers reliable ball-handling and creation ability. Additionally, Brown is a swing at a 24-year old former first-round pick who could grow into a useful role, but is unproven at the moment. Tucker has yet to appear in a game this season and appears disgruntled on the Clippers.
The 39-year old veteran could get one last championship run in with his former Bucks squad as retirement is on the horizon.
The Clippers motivation to agree to this deal would be to acquire more youth. Adding 2024 first-round pick AJ Johnson, along with 2024 second-round pick Tyler Smith and 2023 second-round pick Chris Livingston would accomplish this goal.
The 2031 second-rounder is included purely as a sweetener due to the potential lopsidedness of the exchange. Connaughton is involved due to salary-matching purposes while Portis could slot in coach Ty Lue's rotation as the sixth-man bucket-getter that he is. As is, the Clippers seemingly lack firepower off the bench.
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