The Milwaukee Bucks are showing interest in a star guard in the trade market
The Milwaukee Bucks still remain a game back of the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference, suffering a 120-113 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. However, there's still plenty of time left this season, even though the trade deadline is less than a month away, as the team evaluates its situation.
Outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo being a clear positive, the Bucks have found success with their two guards in Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins. However, the aforementioned trade deadline is set for February 5th, and the Bucks might be eyeing a star guard to add to the mix, potentially and likely in exchange for one of Porter Jr. or Rollins.
Jalen Green A Target For The Bucks
According to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Bucks have interest in Jalen Green as a potential guard for the Bucks.
“…the Bucks recently made calls to the Phoenix Suns, checking in on the availability of Jalen Green, sources said. However, the Suns are not interested in moving the young guard and view him as a potential deadline addition for themselves when he returns from injury," Siegel wrote.
Green has appeared in just one full game for the Suns this season, scoring 29 points on 10-of-20 shooting in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers. He'd appear in one more game, but would log just seven minutes and has been out since. The Suns have been successful without him this season, so it makes sense they could explore parting ways with him.
How Does This Work For Milwaukee?
Rollins or Porter Jr. almost certainly has to be in the deal, given all three of them wouldn't make much sense from an offensive and defensive standpoint. If all three are at their best with the ball in their hands and Giannis needs the ball as well, it would be a tough situation for Doc Rivers to deal with.
The Bucks could likely work out a deal using Kyle Kuzma's contract, offloading his $22.4 million contract this season to bring in Green. Of course, the Bucks would likely only pull the trigger if they knew Green had a chance of being healthy the rest of the season.
When Green is at his best, he's attacking the rim for athletic finishes, but can also score with his jumper as well. He could be an upgrade over Porter Jr. and Rollins, but both players are on such great deals that it seems hard to justify paying Green nearly eight times what Rollins makes.