Bucks Zone

Report points out the Milwaukee Bucks’ top trade targets at the trade deadline

A checklist of who the Bucks must consider at the trade deadline.

Jonas Panerio

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The Milwaukee Bucks aren’t done wheeling and dealing. After firing their coach, Adrian Griffin, and replacing him with Doc Rivers, the Bucks intend to shore up their middling defense and create a more versatile roster before the trade deadline. According to a recent report by Bleacher Report, here are two players the Bucks must strongly consider trading for on or before February 8.

Royce O'Neale

The Bucks' front office and coaching staff surely anticipated a defensive regression when they let go of point-of-attack defender Jrue Holiday for explosive scorer Damian Lillard. However, what they didn’t see happening was their defense cratering to a bottom-10 ranking in the league. After finishing fourth in defensive rating last season, Milwaukee now ranks 22nd in that category, indicating that their once-fearsome defense has become a liability.

The Bucks should consider trading for Brooklyn Nets forward Royce O'Neale to address this issue. The 30-year-old has established himself as one of the more solid “3-and-D” guys in the league, consistently guarding opposing teams’ best players and making their lives difficult in games.

This season, O'Neale is averaging 7.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, shooting 35 percent from beyond the arc. His versatility on both ends of the floor would be a valuable addition to the Bucks roster.

Kris Dunn

The Bucks’ perimeter defense has been atrocious this season, and adding a player like Kris Dunn would significantly improve their efforts to stop the opposing team’s perimeter aces. Dunn is known for his defensive prowess, albeit at the expense of his offense. Dunn has been playing well this season, averaging 5.1 points and 4.2 assists in 17 minutes of playing time, and it remains to be seen if the Jazz would be willing to part with their court general.

“Dunn is ferocious on defense, but his offense can be nonexistent, and it's tough to tell if the Jazz would consider moving him as he's played an important role in their resurgence,” Zach Buckley wrote.

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO