The Milwaukee Bucks have won three straight games each by at least 15 points for the first time since late April of 2022. With the trade deadline less than three weeks away, a significant pivot is unlikely due to their recent success.
However, a marginal adjustment to coach Doc Rivers’ rotation should be seriously considered by Milwaukee’s front office.
After a Western Conference Finals appearance a season ago, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the eighth-best record in their conference at the midway point of the season.
A trade between the Bucks and Wolves could make sense as they are in opposite conferences, but both second-apron franchises must navigate through numerous financial hurdles. A deal could resemble the following proposal:
Bucks receive: Naz Reid, Joe Ingles, Luka Garza
Timberwolves receive: Bobby Portis, Chris Livingston, Tyler Smith, 2031 first-round pick, 2031 second-round pick
This deal gives Minnesota some added offensive firepower through Portis. Minnesota’s front office has taken significant risks with surprising moves. Most recently, they unexpectedly parted with franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns in favor of a less-coveted Julius Randle and a 3-and-D guard in Donte DiVincenzo.
Depending on matchup, Reid could start over Brook Lopez, who the Bucks have been looking to complement for quite some time. However, Lopez opens up the floor offensively, and protects the rim to a nearly unmatched extent. Last week, the fringe future Hall-of-Famer surpassed Alonzo Mourning for most blocked dunk attempts in NBA history. This record dates back to the 1996-97 season when play-by-play tracking was introduced. The 36-year old Lopez could carry a more significant impact in a slightly diminished role alongside Reid.
This season, the 25-year old Reid is averaging 13.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. Like Lopez, Reid can space the floor effectively as the Timberwolves big man is shooting 39.5 percent from three on 5.0 attempts per game entering Saturday night. Unfortunately, Reid does not offer much as a lob threat–a role the Bucks’ acknowledged they were seeking to add. He has only converted on two alley-oops through 41 games. While Minnesota moving Reid should not be expected, the Towns trade was also not expected.
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