Bucks Could Trade to Acquire Major Draft Assets: Report

Will Milwaukee make another deal before the 2 p.m. deadline?

Jan 27, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Doc Rivers speaks at a press conference with general manager Jon Horst where he was introduce as the new head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks at the Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks have thus far made one key move ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline, most notably ditching former three-time All-Star small forward Khris Middleton, young guard AJ Johson, and a 2028 pick swap to the Washington Wizards as part of a three-team deal with the New York Knicks. Milwaukee shipped out veteran guard Delon Wright to New York in the trade.

More Bucks: Milwaukee Trades Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma in Blockbuster Deal

In exchange, the Bucks added former Wizards combo forward Kyle Kuzma, former Knicks center Jericho Sims, former New York forward Patrick Baldwin Jr. and a future second rounder.

The Bucks were able to ditch Middleton's $31.7 million salary. He hasn't looked like his prime-era self this year at all.

Milwaukee later traded Baldwin to the San Antonio Spurs for cash.

Read More: Bucks Trade Forward Patrick Baldwin to Spurs

But the Bucks still have tools available, should they want to make another deal.

Prior to this deal, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype had reported that the Bucks could flip their future 2031 first round pick for multiple, probably lower-value first rounders. That didn't happen in this transaction, while Milwaukee managed to hold onto that pick.

Even if the Bucks opt not to make further additions to their roster and just focus on bringing in more future draft equity, they could still look to improve their present personnel in the buyout market.

More Bucks: Milwaukee Could Reunite with Former Forward Following Trade Deadline

At 27-22, Milwaukee is currently the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. All-NBA superstar power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and aging All-Star point guard Damian Lillard remain pretty great, but the team looks like it's a tier below the Eastern Conference's best clubs.

With the advent of Kuzma — a solid off-ball cutter who has struggled mightily to convert from deep — and Sims, the team now gains two real frontcourt pieces who can at least stay in front of people defensively. Kuzma is a big question mark as a jump shooter, but a solid interior scorer.

The Bucks still need some spacing help. Whether they find it on the buyout market or in another trade as the 2 p.m. CT trade deadline approaches remains to be seen.

More Bucks:

Milwaukee Loses Out on Zach LaVine, Bulls Star Traded to Kings in Massive Deal

Bucks Could Go After Multi-Time All-Star Following Trade Drama

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