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How the Milwaukee Bucks can address their need for a backup point guard
With training camp just a few days away, the Milwaukee Bucks still do not have a dependable backup point guard on their roster. Although Damian Lillard remains one of the best point guards in the NBA, he’s already getting up there in age and mileage, and the Bucks may want some insurance if and when he needs a break.
Make no mistake: the Bucks are one of the deepest teams in the league right now, except for the point guard position, with untested players like AJ Green, Lindell Wigginton, and Andre Jackson Jr. next on the depth chart. However, a trade idea concocted by Bleacher Report may solve this problem for the Bucks.
Delon Wright for Pat Connaughton
Point guard is, arguably, the most demanding position in the NBA, and the Bucks desperately need a reliable backup for Dame. Delon Wright, currently with the Washington Wizards, fits the bill perfectly as an experienced guard who can play both off the ball and in pick-and-rolls. A 6'5'' guard with long arms, Wright is the type of two-way player the Bucks desire for their bench.
“Delon Wright would address that need without depleting wing depth since he's a natural 1 with wing size and the ability to defend multiple positions on the perimeter,” a report on Bleacher Report noted.
Wright averaged 7.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.8 steals for the Wizards last season in 24 minutes of action per night. He has always thrived off the bench in his eight-year career, and there’s no reason why he won’t be able to do the same for the Bucks.
Losing Pat will hurt
Posing a key piece of the Bucks’ bench will be a blow, and replacing him with Delon Wright won’t be easy. However, Wright is an experienced two-way player who brings many of the same strengths as Connaughton—size, versatility, and perimeter shooting. Pulling the trigger on this trade is also a good business decision for a rebuilding franchise like Washington.
“For the rebuilding Washington Wizards, taking on Pat Connaughton and his contract that runs through 2025-26 may not be ideal. But he's earning less than $10 million in each of those seasons, and he could be redirected to a team in need of some help on the wing,” Andy Bailey wrote.
