The Milwaukee Bucks are a solid Eastern Conference team, but their most important piece, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is considering leaving if they don’t keep themselves competitive. A trade this offseason might be able to do just that.
According to Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, the Bucks are predicted to target Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler as the replacement for their current big, Brook Lopez.
“Portis’ option and Lopez’s free-agent price will determine the Bucks’ flexibility,” Pincus wrote. “The team should be able to stay comfortably below the second apron but may not be able to avoid luxury taxes. Much will be decided on how much longer the Bucks are willing to roll with Lopez (almost 37). Milwaukee could try to pry away one of the Utah Jazz’s two big men, but the asking price for Kessler would be much higher than Collins.”
The players Pincus thinks the Bucks will use as trade stock include Pat Connaughton, AJ Green, Andre Jackson Jr., Chris Livingston, Tyler Smith, Bobby Portis.
Getting Kessler would be pricey, but it would make the Bucks have the most dominant big man duo in the East. Kessler is a traditional center, averaging 11.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.5 blocks this season.
Having Antetokounmpo and Kessler would basically be a black hole down in the paint, with the two seven-footers grabbing boards, blocking shots, and driving to the rim or posting up for easy scores.
If the Bucks can get Kessler, they definitely should. Then, as long as they have good shooters at the guards and small forwards, they would be a top dog of the East.
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