The Milwaukee Bucks host Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night.
The Doc Rivers-led Bucks have lost four of their previous six games. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo needed stitches in his hand after getting his hand caught in the rim on a block attempt in their last game in Toronto. Their front office should be looking to upgrade the rotation as the now-benched Khris Middleton continues to gradually ease his way back.
The Dallas Mavericks are playing shorthanded due to injuries to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Their front office could look for more offensive firepower to fill-in for his ailing superstar and co-star.
To solve that problem, Sports Illustrated created the following trade proposal:
Bucks receive: Naji Marshall, Dwight Powell, 2030 first-round pick via SAS
Mavericks receive: Bobby Portis
Portis, a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year, is averaging 14.1 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 25.4 minutes this season. Additionally, the bucket-getting big is converting on 39 percent of his 3.7 three-point attempts per game. His knack for scoring will help alleviate the pressure to score without Doncic and Irving. Upon their return, Portis could come off the bench in favor of a more traditional three-and-D wing.
For Milwaukee, Marshall and Powell would provide their rotation with much-needed defensive prowess and size. Powell can also play small-ball five and has some lob-catching ability. However, Powell has been buried on the depth chart this season and is questionably only seeing 7.6 minutes of playing time per game.
Meanwhile, Marshall is averaging a career-high 10.9 points to go along with 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 23.8 minutes. The veteran wing has started ten times in his 28 appearances on the season. Additionally, the included first-round draft capital is an enticing sweetener that can be flipped for another potential upgrade.
Milwaukee only owns one expendable first-rounder at the moment.
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