The Milwaukee Bucks are playing the best basketball of their season thus far. The team has reached a new level with just one player, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and all eyes have been on him for weeks now as he continues to lead them in their pursuit for an NBA Championship. However, acquiring Goran Dragic may give this squad another key piece that could make it stand out from the rest
The Milwaukee Bucks have been a huge disappointment this season. They are currently in the middle of a rebuild, but they are now “aggressively” trying to add Goran Dragic as another piece in a push for back-to-back championships. Read more in detail here: dragic.
The Milwaukee Bucks are the reigning NBA Champions, but their championship defense in 2021-22 has been hit-or-miss due to injuries to various players on the squad. Despite this, the squad is still in a good position in the Eastern Conference standings, just 2.5 games behind the first-place Miami Heat.
Jon Horst, the general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks, has shown a willingness to make changes when necessary. He’s already acquired big man Serge Ibaka and wing De’Andre Bembry in the nine days since the trade deadline.
Long before he was ever available, Goran Dragic was the hottest name on the buyout market. Horst looks to be closing in on the 35-year-old in what would be a much-needed boost for Milwaukee’s weak backcourt.
The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to add even more depth to their squad.
The Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo drives to the hoop against the Miami Heat’s Goran Dragic. | Michael Reaves/Getty Images
The Bucks’ most pressing need heading into the trade deadline was another frontcourt player. Wing depth was not required, but it would have been good to have, and strengthening the backup point guard position was also on the agenda.
The first problem was resolved when Ibaka was acquired in a four-team transaction. Brook Lopez, Milwaukee’s regular center and a key component of the team’s success the prior three seasons, had back surgery after the season’s opening game and has yet to return.
Ibaka’s ability to span the floor and play defensive drop coverage is practically identical to Brook’s. He’ll now be able to fill in for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis in a rotation that was previously just Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis.
After the Brooklyn Nets were forced to clear a roster space in order to execute the Ben Simmons-James Harden transaction, Horst signed veteran De’Andre Bembry. Bembry, a versatile 6-foot-5 fifth-year vet who doesn’t want the ball and is shooting a career-high from three this season, is a versatile 6-foot-5 veteran who doesn’t demand the ball.
Only the reserve guard remains. Jrue Holiday’s main backup this season has been George Hill, but he’s been injured since the end of January and hasn’t been effective even when healthy.
Donte DiVincenzo was traded for Ibaka, while Pat Connaughton hurt his right hand the following night. He’s undergone surgery since then and isn’t anticipated to be back until at least mid-March.
Dragic’s signing would fix the team’s backcourt issues immediately.
If the recent buyout market rumors are accurate, Goran Dragic would be a significant improvement.
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The 35-year-old was anticipated to be bought out and made available for competing clubs during the stretch run. That became official after a trade to the San Antonio Spurs.
The Slovenian had long been expected to join Luka Doncic in the Dallas Mavericks’ backcourt, but it seems Dragic’s market is more strong than first thought. He’s taking his time now to observe how his market grows before making a decision, but the Mavs seem to be on the outside looking in.
Milwaukee is pursuing the former Miami guard aggressively, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
“(Dragic is) spending this week talking to clubs about where he may want to sign, and first and foremost on that list is the Milwaukee Bucks, who are desperate for a backcourt player.
“They moved Donte DiVincenzo to the [Sacramento] Kings, and Pat Connaughton has been out for almost a month with an injury, so they need guard depth.”
“Goran Dragic has a chance to come in and play some important minutes for the Bucks, and he definitely has a chance to make a playoff run.”
Woj, on the other hand, mentions the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Lakers as probable destinations.
He is correct, though, in predicting that the Bucks will provide Dragic with the finest mix of playing time and a chance to win a title.
Dragic could round out the Bucks’ postseason rotation, which currently includes Ibaka and Bembry.
Ibaka can now play with Giannis and Portis, giving Milwaukee a true four-man rotation up big if Lopez returns.
Behind Khris Middleton, Grayson Allen, Wes Matthews, and — assuming head coach Mike Budeholzer trusts him in the playoffs — Jordan Nwora, Bembry offers depth. That’s an additional 4-5 guard/wing rotation guys.
Dragic would instantly replace Holiday as Bud’s primary backup point guard, and the 13-year veteran would be in line for significant playoff minutes as one of the first two or three choices off the bench.
The 6-3 center adds depth and experience to a squad that desperately needs it, and Milwaukee would offer him a key role in a championship run.
Both sides benefit from a Dragic-Bucks cooperation.
NBA.com provided all data.
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