Things are heating up in the NBA with the NBA trade deadline only hours away. While this trade won’t be considered a blockbuster, there are a lot of moving parts and some teams looking to make playoff pushes involved.
The Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, LA Clippers, and Detroit Pistons worked out a deal that involved seven players, multiple draft picks, and cash.
The Bucks are receiving Serge Ibaka, two future second-round picks, and cash in the deal. They are sending Donte DiVincenzo to the Kings, who are also getting Josh Jackson and Trey Lyles from the Pistons. Milwaukee is sending Rodney Hood and Semi Ojeleye to the Clippers. Sacramento is sending Marvin Bagley III to the Pistons to round out the transaction.
The Bucks are upgrading their frontcourt, as it looks as if they could be without Brook Lopez for the duration of the season. Ibaka is a great fit as a playoff-tested, versatile big man that can knock down a perimeter jump shot and still protect the rim.
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They will be players on the buyout market as well, trading away three players while only taking one back. That open roster spot can be used to upgrade the backcourt for a point guard or add another wing to compensate for the three that they traded away.
The Kings are continuing to reshape their roster for a playoff push. After acquiring Domantas Sabonis from the Indiana Pacers earlier in the week, they add a solid wing player in DiVincenzo. Lyles has played well and offers more frontcourt depth, while Jackson could carve out playing time at small forward.
The Clippers cut their salary cap down a little bit, bringing on two players on minimum deals. Hood and Ojeleye provide more depth if they are retained and not bought out.
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Bagley finally gets a fresh start, landing with the Pistons. On a rebuilding team, he could be afforded the chance to get playing time, which has been sporadic this season with the Kings. It isn’t Bagley’s fault he was selected ahead of Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Trae Young, but it is something he will be judged by for his entire career.
Ending up in Detroit could help him get his career back on track. He should receive plenty of opportunities, especially if they move on from Jerami Grant.
