Milwaukee Bucks: Breaking down the 4 potential big-name trade targets

Victor Oladipo

Player Examination: 2X All-Star, 1X All-D and All-NBA, and a Most Improved award to his name. Career splits of 17.3 points, 3.9 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. Shooting 35 percent from 3 for his career, basically an average rate.

The talent isn’t really the issue for Victor Oladipo, it’s his health. Fifty-five games played total in his past two seasons. He makes $21 million in 2020-21 and then is an unrestricted free agent. He dramatically raises the ceiling for the Bucks if he can stay healthy, but that could be a tall order.

RRO: Indiana has two specific players I’d love to add in an OIadipo deal. Jeremy Lamb had a bit of a lost 2020 season after a couple as a rock-solid starting shooting guard. He tore his ACL about halfway through the season and has been rehabbing since. He makes $10.5 million, wouldn’t cost much more in a trade, and would be the best forward off of the Bucks bench if healthy.

Doug McDermott is primarily a 3-point assassin, but he had a 0.0 BPM this season after nine straight seasons of negative BPM. Indiana may like him but he’s an expiring $7.3 million contract so he can be had.

There is speculation that MKE could look to pair Oladipo with Bledsoe. Personally, I don’t love it but this trade accomplishes that. Bucks get a premier backcourt partner for Bledsoe and a talented two-way wing off the bench. Pacers get a starting guard who’s a top 3-point shooter, a young potential defensive star at shooting guard, and a prospect at forward in addition to a first-rounder.

Here’s a better scenario where MKE ships Bledsoe out. The big addition for the Pacers is a back to back All-D guard along with DDV and Wilson. Bucks take back Oladipo and a pristine 3-point shooter for the bench. Bucks keep the No. 24 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft in this scenario, likely for another move.

Verdict: Not too shabby. I’m personally worried about Oladipo’s health and his lack of shooting. If he can stay healthy though, he raises the ceiling of the roster without completely gutting it. Both trades allow the Bucks to keep some resources to make another move or two to shore up the depth. Anytime you can do both of those things it typically is a worthwhile trade.