Trade Deadline - 2/10

[mufan2003]

Only 29 games left in the regular season with the Bucks about to begin a 4-game West Coast trip (@Portland, @Clippers, @Lakers and @Suns). A lot of rumors that the Bucks are looking to acquire another center with the uncertainty surrounding Brook Lopez. Bucks are publicly stating that they are confident Lopez returns, I hope he does. Just wonder if this will turn out to be similar to David Bakhtiari.

Regardless, some names that are being rumored:

Daniel Theis (Houston)

Jalen Smith (Phoenix)

Richaun Holmes (Sacramento)

Mo Bamba (Orlando)

Montrezl Harrell (Washington)

Defensive Wings with size being rumored (PJ Tucker role):

Robert Covington (Portland)

Thaddeus Young (San Antonio)

[mufan2003]

Very nice to see Khris Middleton get his 3rd All-Star selection by the league's coaches. He deserves it.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HE&#39;S IN!! <br><br>Congrats to <a href="https://twitter.com/Khris22m?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Khris22m</a> on making the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAAllStar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAAllStar</a> Game!! <a href="https://t.co/6nCBGtbkJu">pic.twitter.com/6nCBGtbkJu</a></p>&mdash; Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/1489393608256016385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[mufan2003]

IMO, Holiday is an All-Star as well, quite possibly the best 2-way PG in the NBA (already 1st-Team All-NBA Defense). If he played on a poor team, he could put up bigger numbers offensively. Love his size and ability to finish with his off-hand in the lane. Plays bigger when the stage is bigger (Game 5 of NBA Finals in Phoenix).

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The most underrated player in the NBA? <a href="https://t.co/KuCldTkrRy">pic.twitter.com/KuCldTkrRy</a></p>&mdash; Adam McGee (@AdamMcGee11) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamMcGee11/status/1489393973613539328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Goose85]

Bucks with some big wins on the west coast.

Looks like they may be getting into a good groove. Hard to play intense for a full season after such a short off season.

Nets are a mess right now, and ot only with injuries but also seems like there is poor chemistry in that building.
To me, the Nets are the biggest threat in the East. I actually think the Nets would be better with Simmons in the place of Harden. There is only one ball, and it should mostly be in KD's hand (once healthy).

[mufan2003]

Agree with you on the Nets Goose. They have lost 8 in a row without Durant. Some want Harden traded (others Irving). Yet if they have all three, probably the toughest test in the East. At least offensively. Cleveland is looking surprisingly good with length (Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Kevin Love) and just acquired Caris LeVert for practically nothing (Ricky Rubio). Darius Garland is an All-Star and Cedi Osman is a great shooter. Miami always gives the Bucks fits with Bam, Jimmy, Lowry and Herro is playing very well (exception being last season's playoffs). Chicago is good but not good enough to take down Milwaukee IMO. Toronto is another team that gives the Bucks some problems with their length.

With the Greg Monroe 10-day contract, I wonder if the plan is to just have stop-gaps at the center position until Lopez returns. He is supposedly getting a follow up review by his doctor in LA. I hope he would be able to return sometime in March, get some game action in before the playoffs start mid-April.

Best game this week is the Finals rematch with the Suns on Thursday. They currently hold the best record in the league.

[Goose85]

I wondered the same as you MUFAN when they let Cousins go. Just get placeholders to help out until Lopez returns. Monroe will be fine, and will probably get a second 10 day contract after the all star break while the Bucks figure out what to do.

Would be great to see Lopez start to get worked back into games in March. In the event that Lopez may not be at full strength, the Bucks may want to consider someone like Cousins or Monroe for playoff depth if they think they would be of benefit for a matchup against a team or two.

East won't be easy, but I think we prevail over a young Cleveland / Chicago team. You are right with Miami, they worry me as the Bucks do have trouble with that matchup.

[MUfan12]

Sounds kinda crazy, but I'd rather see them go get some size on the wing than another big.

[Goose85]

From a trade standpoint, I'm sure they would be fine moving on from Ojeleye or Hood, but I'm guessing there is not much value there.

DiVincenzo has some value, so it would be interesting to see if the Bucks would part with him. I'd think Nwora might have some value too, but he is a restricted free agent I think.

[Goose85]

Possible DiVincenzo for Grant Williams of the Celtics.

https://celticswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-boston-celtics-g-willl-to-mil-dennis-to-cavs/

Could he serve in that position Tucker did last season, but as a younger and better shooting version?

[mufan2003]

Possible DiVincenzo for Grant Williams of the Celtics.

https://celticswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-boston-celtics-g-willl-to-mil-dennis-to-cavs/

Could he serve in that position Tucker did last season, but as a younger and better shooting version?

I am a DiVincenzo fan, but that wouldn't be a bad move. Williams is shooting 43% on 173 3-point attempts this season. Bigger and more physicality than Donte. I do think DiVincenzo will round into form as the season rolls along. Question is.....are Allen, Connaughton and Divincenzo too much of the same type of player (basically the same size, although each is slightly better in different areas)

Hill, Ojeleye, Hood, DiVincenzo and Nwora are probably the pieces you would be willing to move. Sounds like there is league-wide interest in DiVincenzo (only 25 and has proven himself). I thought there would be more interest in Nwora, teams thinking he would be better if given more consistent minutes, etc.

[mufan2003]

Suns possess the best record in the NBA and have won 14 of their last 15 games. Coming off two road wins against two of the better teams in the East (@Chicago and @Philly).

It is only one regular season game, but both teams should have everyone available (exception Brook Lopez). Hopefully a good one.

[mufan2003]

https://www.nba.com/news/2021-22-nba-trade-tracker

[mufan2003]

And here we go......

Bucks acquire Serge Ibaka and second round picks. DiVincenzo to Sacramento. Hood and Ojeleye to the Clippers.

https://www.nba.com/news/pistons-bucks-kings-clippers-four-team-trade-bagley-ibaka-divincenzo

[mufan2003]

I have always liked Ibaka. He is 32 and not quite what he once was......but 6'10", strong with a long wingspan will help against players in the East like Adebayo, OG Anunoby, Jarret Allen, Marvin Bagley, Embiid, etc. He also has some ability to stretch the floor.

DiVincenzo, a fan of his since the Villanova days, but this makes sense from a roster composition standpoint. Allen and Connaughton are both playing really well and have been healthy/available. DiVincenzo has had nagging injuries. The East is better and some of the playoff teams have good length (Miami, Cleveland, Toronto).

I think this was a good move, add two second round picks as well and unload 2 guys who weren't contributing anything (Hood and Ojeleye).

[mufan2003]

More length for an ascending Toronto team:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Toronto Raptors are trading Goran Dragic to the San Antonio Spurs for Thad Young, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheAthletic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAthletic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Stadium?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stadium</a>.</p>&mdash; Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1491816212837380100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Goose85]

Ibaka seems to have always been a Bucks killer, and with Lopez and injury uncertainty, probably a good move, but giving up DiVencenzo seems like a lot to me.

Always been a fan of DiVencenzo, but with Connaughton, Allen, Wes, etc, we are in good shape there so I can see why he was expendable.

Hood and Ojele never seemed to get footing in MKE, so no problem on those guys.

I like that the Bucks aren't standing pat and are looking to really make a run at back to back titles.

[mufan2003]

Possibility that Dragic will be bought out by the Spurs.

Interested teams might then include Chicago, Dallas, Clippers and the Bucks. Would be a better option than Hill.

[mufan2003]

It happened...

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Brooklyn Nets are trading James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks, sources tell ESPN.</p>&mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1491838495677112320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Goose85]

Possibility that Dragic will be bought out by the Spurs.

Interested teams might then include Chicago, Dallas, Clippers and the Bucks. Would be a better option than Hill.

That would really be interesting.

After making a three player for one trade to get Ibaka, and assuming Monroe will be done after the 10 day contract, we will have open roster spots for bought out players such as Dragic.

I'm sure joining the defending champs, who actually look better if Lopez can come back, will be enticing.

Does Harden get moved to Philly? Does Simmons on the Nets actually make them better (only one ball and he doesn't want it).

[mufan2003]

That would really be interesting.

After making a three player for one trade to get Ibaka, and assuming Monroe will be done after the 10 day contract, we will have open roster spots for bought out players such as Dragic.

I'm sure joining the defending champs, who actually look better if Lopez can come back, will be enticing.

Does Harden get moved to Philly? Does Simmons on the Nets actually make them better (only one ball and he doesn't want it).

It happened Goose. I am not a Harden fan, Seth Curry is a nice pickup for Brooklyn as a shooter.

I don't think this makes either team better than the Bucks, but we'll see. Simmons will help Brooklyn's defense, but certainly has offensive shortcomings.

[Goose85]

It happened Goose. I am not a Harden fan, Seth Curry is a nice pickup for Brooklyn as a shooter.

I don't think this makes either team better than the Bucks, but we'll see. Simmons will help Brooklyn's defense, but certainly has offensive shortcomings.

Never cared much for Harden's game, and I actually think Harden can be a negative on a team. Rule changes are taking away a lot of his ability to get to the free throw line too (lean in on a 3).
On a team like the Nets, I actually think Simmons is a better fit as they already have two alpha type scorers and could use the D. Simmons having not played may be more of a challenge there.

Bucks are still the best in the East.

[mufan2003]

Never cared much for Harden's game, and I actually think Harden can be a negative on a team. Rule changes are taking away a lot of his ability to get to the free throw line too (lean in on a 3).
On a team like the Nets, I actually think Simmons is a better fit as they already have two alpha type scorers and could use the D. Simmons having not played may be more of a challenge there.

Bucks are still the best in the East.

I agree. That being said, the East is much better this year. Whichever team comes out of the East will be battle tested.

On paper, Brooklyn and Philly are next, with Miami not far behind.

Chicago is good, but not good enough IMO. They will not be an easy out.

My 2 underrated teams that could pull off an upset in the playoffs are Cleveland and Toronto.

Just a much better conference this season. I also think the Bucks are better (and possibly not done with buyout market).

[Goose85]

Looks like the Bucks may be adding Deandre Bembry.

I have no real opinion other than we have open roster spots and need some depth with Connaughton out.

https://sports.yahoo.com/bucks-adding-deandre-bembry-182507315.html

[mufan2003]

Looks like the Bucks may be adding Deandre Bembry.

I have no real opinion other than we have open roster spots and need some depth with Connaughton out.

https://sports.yahoo.com/bucks-adding-deandre-bembry-182507315.html

I had read somewhere that he is an above average defender. I like the sound of this:

Yet across the league elsewhere, players of Bembry’s ilk have gotten paid. One NBA scout began comparing Bembry to Miami’s Jae Crowder, but noted Crowder is more physical of a defender and a higher-volume 3-point shooter.

Still hoping for Dragic, but there are several teams vying for his services.

[Goose85]

I had read somewhere that he is an above average defender. I like the sound of this:

Yet across the league elsewhere, players of Bembry’s ilk have gotten paid. One NBA scout began comparing Bembry to Miami’s Jae Crowder, but noted Crowder is more physical of a defender and a higher-volume 3-point shooter.

Still hoping for Dragic, but there are several teams vying for his services.

So is he expected to be able to play some playoff level D similar to the role Tucker had last year?

[mufan2003]

We'll see Goose, I haven't followed him closely. Reports are certainly that he is an undervalued player that has really shown something this season. He was at the Fiserv Forum last night:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DeAndre’ Bembry is at Fiserv Forum, sitting with Bucks GM Jon Horst. <a href="https://t.co/y2PsVCZErh">pic.twitter.com/y2PsVCZErh</a></p>&mdash; Stephen Watson (@WISN_Watson) <a href="https://twitter.com/WISN_Watson/status/1493765716163633153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[mufan2003]

FWIW:

https://twitter.com/NetsKingdomAJ/status/1491964452132073476

https://twitter.com/drewlivesports/status/1493303093731237893

https://behindthebuckpass.com/2022/02/15/instant-reactions-milwaukee-bucks-signing-deandre-bembry/

https://twitter.com/thebenchmobblog/status/1493717741882257412

[mufan2003]

https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2022/02/bucks-aggressive-in-pursuit-of-goran-dragic.html

[mufan2003]

Dragic to Brooklyn, a lot of guards (Kyrie Irving, Seth Curry, Goran Dragic, Patty Mills).

https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1495815232605855748