Tommy Tuffnuts
Eric Bledsoe is a Milwaukee Buck! This is something I have wanted for a very long time. I love the dynamic play making ability he brings to the offense. The only issue that I see with acquiring Bledsoe is that Jason Kidd is still the coach and doesn't understand rotations. On top of that, Sean Sweet Ass Sweeney continues to run the Bucks defense. However, after this trade happened, I had to go to ESPN's Trade Machine to cook up some more deals. Taking a look at the Bucks this season and next, I tried to create some trades that made sense for the Bucks as well as the other teams involved.
John Henson to Utah for Derrick Favors
Why I like it for the Bucks: With the acquisition of Bledsoe and departure of Monroe, the Bucks just added a guaranteed salary for next season and traded away an expiring contract. With Jabari Parker up for a contact extension, the Bucks will have to clear some cap space if they want to resign Jabari and not go too far over the luxury tax. This trade frees up cap space for next year since Favors is an expiring contract. It also gives the Bucks a bigger body down low who can play Center. Favors has fallen out of favor (pun intended) in Utah with the emergence of Gobert in recent years. Prior to Gobert, Favors was a 16/8/2 player. Since the emergence of Gobert, he has seen his playing time decrease and has also faced some health issues. Regardless, I like the potential production he can provide the Bucks this season and also that he is an expiring contract. At seasons end, you can let him walk or look into signing him if the money is right.
Why it can work for Utah: Don't get me wrong, I am a Bucks fan and these trades are going to be a bit biased. However, Favors production has taken a dip and there have also been rumblings that he wants out of Utah. Henson provides Utah with a solid back up center whose style is similar to Gobert's. He is a long, shot blocking center who can provide some insurance if Goberts injury history comes back this year. Yes, Henson will be on the books for 2 more years at 20 million dollars, but 10 million a year for a solid back up center isn't going to cripple Utah. Also, Utah will only be losing Joe Johnson after this season as well as having to make decisions on some players on Rookie contracts. They would be in the market this coming off season for a back up center and Henson can provide that to them.
John Henson to Philly for Okafor
Why I like it for the Bucks: The same reasons why I like the deal for Favors. Okafor gives the Bucks a bigger body down low as well as rebounding. He also is an expiring contract which can give the Bucks more financial flexibility in the off season.
Why it works for Philly: Philly seems to be at a point where they acquired their young core and want to add veteran pieces to become contenders. Henson gives Philly a defensive back up center with plenty of NBA experience. Okafor's time in Philly is finished and they can either let him walk for nothing or get some value back. Philly will have about $40 million come off the Books after this year, so adding Henson's 9 million for next year still gives them the ability to sign some free agents. They also would not be in the market for a back up center which may be big if Embiids injury history pops up again.
Delly to Memphis for Brandan Wright
Why I like it for the Bucks: This is another cap space clearing trade for next season. With the acquisition of Bledsoe, the playing time for Delly may not be there anymore. Brandan Wright gives the Bucks another option at the PF/C spot to play defense and improve rebounding. Wrights contact also comes off the books after this season and the Bucks can let him walk or resign him for cheap as a back up big man.
Why it can work for Memphis: The Grizzles currently roll out Mario Chalmers as the back up PG. In my opinion, when you play in the "Grind House", Delly needs to be on your team. Delly will be under contact for 2 more years at 19 million dollars after this season. Mario Chalmers will be a free agent and with his poor play so far, Memphis would likely let him walk. Wright is currently playing 15 minutes a night for Memphis and this trade frees up some playing time for Memphis to take a look at young Deytona Davis. Tyreke Evans as well as some rookie contracts would come off the books for Memphis, so they will have restraints in free agency next year. Delly gives them a back up PG that can be the Mayor of Grind.
Teletovic to Miami for Wayne Ellington
Why I like it for the Bucks: On the record, I hate Teletovic. I do think that he is misused by Jason Kidd though. He should never be in the paint, he should never dribble and never try to penetrate. He needs to park his ass outside the three point line and shoot threes. I do like shedding his contract however to allow the Bucks to resign Jabari if that's what they chose to do as well as resign a guy like Okafor or Favors. Acquiring Ellington is purely to receive an expiring deal and he also can provide some shooting off the bench.
Why it works for Miami: Miami needs more perimeter shooting. Spo is a really good coach and would be able to utilize Telly. He is only under contract through next season and with how Miami's current roster sits, they will not have much money to spend this off season. Acquiring Teletovic gives them more perimeter shooting which could work if teams double down on Whiteside in the post.
With all of these trades in play, the Bucks would be left with these 15 players:
PG: Bledsoe/Brogdon
SG: Snell/Ellington/Vaughn/Terry
SF: Middleton/Liggins/Brown
PF: Giannis/Jabari/Wilson
C: Thon/Okafor or Favors/Wright
Ideally, Kidd would work rotations below, sprinkle in some other reserves from time to time and adjust once Jabari comes back.
PG:Bledsoe/Brogdon
SG:Snell/Middleton/Ellington
SF: Middleton/Snell
PF: Giannis/Wright/Favors
C: Thon/Okafor or Favors/Wright
After the Bucks win the East this year, they would then enter into the off season with these current players on the books:
Bledsoe (15 million)
Brogdon (1.5 million)
Snell (10.6 million)
Middleton (13 million)
Giannis (24 million)
Thon (2.8 million)
Wilson (2.5 million)
Brown (1.4 million)
That would put the Bucks at just about $71 million dollars committed for next year. The projected 2018-2019 salary cap is at $108 million right now and the Luxury Tax is at $130 million. This would leave the Bucks with roughly $37 million dollars to play with that can allow them to resign Jabari and also a guy like Okafor or explore other options at the center position. The Bucks could realistically spend about $60 million and that would put them right at the Luxury Tax threshold. With opening a new arena in 2018-2019, the owners could opt to push up against the Luxury Tax to put the best team possible on the floor. If the Bucks do want to resign Jabari to an extension this off season, they will need to shed some contracts to have some cap flexibility. It will be very interesting to see what route they take, but these are some exciting times in Milwaukee. The last move I would love for these owners to make is firing Jason Kidd and hiring a coach who can take them to the next level.
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