The Milwaukee Bucks have dominated their opponents to start the new year with a 24-8 record, but they will need some defensive reinforcements if they are to carry that dominance into the postseason.
Dalton Sell of Behind the Buck Pass recommended the Bucks to contact Golden State Warriors wing Andrew Wiggins following Tim Kawakami of The Athletic’s report that the team will not be deterred from exploring Wiggins’ trade market by his recent $109 million agreement.
Sell thinks Wiggings may fill the wing position, which has been vacant for a while.
Milwaukee has struggled defensively for a number of years, but this year has been especially bad for the squad. This is because the team does not have a reliable wing defender. This is why Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Jimmy Butler have wrecked havoc on this squad during their last two postseason campaigns, and the Bucks still lack a definitive solution this year, according to Sell. “Having Wiggins could be beneficial.
When needed, the 6-foot-7 forward can defend a variety of players and positions, demonstrating his versatility. According to NBA.com, Wiggins prevented Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White from making more than 26 of 81 field goals (32.1 percent) during the 2022 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.
Possible Deal Package for the Bucks to Acquire Andrew Wiggins, a Star for the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors player Andrew Wiggins.
Getty
Golden State Warriors player Andrew Wiggins.
To create way for the former first overall pick, the Bucks would need to release some salary space. Wiggins is currently in the first year of a four-year, $109 million contract with the Warriors.
Sell recommended that the Bucks trade Wiggins a draft pick, Bobby Portis, and Pat Connaughton a player on a minimal contract (MarJon Beauchamp, A.J. Green, Chris Livingston, Robin Lopez, etc.). Though the former No. 1 overall pick has declined this season, that is quite a haul, and it may help the Bucks in negotiations.
When healthy, Wiggins is a modern 3-and-D wing with exceptional explosiveness that allows him to pressure defenses both in the lane and at the rim. According to Basketball Reference, he has shot 47.2% overall and 38.9% from beyond the arc during the previous three years, averaging 17.7 points per game.
The Warriors must choose whether to sign Jonathon Kuminga to a rookie-scale contract extension or not, as their relationship with Wiggins has not worked out as planned. The Warriors would be smart to consider offers for Wiggins if Golden State views Kuminga as a future building component; the Bucks need to be on the list of teams making contact.
Bucks Defense Has Problems in Losing to the Knicks on Christmas Day
Randle and Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Getty Bucks guards Julius Randle of the Knicks.
Despite the fact that the Bucks are winning and that their 129-122 setback to the Knicks is only one of their last ten games, it was clear that they can finish games defensively.
One of the most important lessons from the Christmas Day schedule of games, according to The Ringer, was the Bucks’ crushed comeback attempt against the Knicks.
“Who fits best as the fifth man in closing lineups, alongside the four obvious choices of Giannis, Dаme, Brook Lopez, and Khris Middleton, is the bigger-picture question for Milwaukee.” Malik Beasley, the starter, is probably not the solution: His shortcomings as a perimeter defender are clearly visible, as evidenced by the 19 minutes he played on Christmas without scoring a single basket, according to the Ringer story. “Coach Adrian Griffin has been hesitant to play the extremely large Giannis-Lopez-Portis trio this season, despite the fact that Bobby Portis is the Bucks’ sixth man. (According to PBP Stats, they have only played together for a total of 14 minutes.) Although Pat Connaughton is inconsistent, he fits the theory. Jae Crowder is 33 years old and has an ιnjury.