The Milwaukee Bucks are once again one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way. However, if they want to get over the hump and into the NBA Finals, they may need to look to make a trade or two ahead of the trade deadline.
Being able to acquire another veteran role player or two would be important come playoff time. The most successful teams are those who don’t lose a step when their bench comes in.
One NBA scout, who asked to remain anonymous, believes the Bucks should target two specific players in trade talks ahead of the deadline.
“For the Bucks, I think they need to prioritize more scoring. One guy that I think could be a target is JJ Redick, who could very well be traded by the Pelicans. Another name to keep an eye on would be Victor Oladipo. Milwaukee tried to get Oladipo in the offseason and could still have interest.”
Both of these guys would be huge pickups for the Bucks. Redick would add a huge shooting ability to the roster, which would be a major plus. As for Oladipo, he would add star power to the team and could be a long-term fit if he blends well with the current team.
If the Bucks are serious about winning a title with Antetokounmpo leading the way, making a trade for one of these guys makes perfect sense.
Redick has played in 26 games for the Pelicans this season, all of those appearances coming off the bench. He has averaged 8.1 points while shooting 36.7 percent from the three-point line. Those numbers may not scream “huge addition” for the Bucks, but a bigger role would be valuable.
On the other hand, Oladipo has played in 11 games since being traded to the Rockets. He has averaged 18.4 points, 4.9 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. In addition to those numbers, he has shot just 38.6 percent from the floor and 29.9 percent from the three-point line.
Obviously, neither of these guys is having a career season. But, the Bucks should not shy away from them because of their numbers. A change of scenery to a championship caliber team could do both of them good.
Expect to hear the Bucks mentioned in quite a few trade rumors as the deadline draws near. These two guys could be names to watch.
