The Milwaukee Bucks’ only priority is to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay.
Some have thrown around the idea of them adding Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul to help with this. While this would give them another all-star, there’s a different Thunder guard that would make for a more simple, less risky trade.
Dennis Schroder could help the Bucks with their Antetokounmpo pursuit in multiple ways.
In this trade proposal, the Oklahoma City Thunder would be getting a good rotation player and a late first-round draft pick.
The Proposal
Thunder receive: Eric Bledsoe, 2021 first-round pick
Bucks receive: Dennis Schroder
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Why the Thunder do it
Eric Bledsoe gets a bad rap because of his playoff woes, but he is a good NBA player. With his ability to drive and finish at the rim on offense and play strong defense, he actually has some similarities to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Bledsoe has three more years on his contract, the third of which is not fully guaranteed. That’s detrimental for the Bucks. That’s not necessarily bad for the Thunder.
If Oklahoma City keeps him, Bledsoe would be a fun player next to Gilgeous-Alexander. Their defense would be very strong, and they have both played off-ball enough over their careers to not fight over control.
Should the Thunder trade him, it could very likely net them another first-round pick. Perhaps the Toronto Raptors, for instance, want him as a replacement for Fred VanVleet. There’s a market for Bledsoe’s two-way skill set.
That’s basically what it comes down to. The Thunder would either acquire one first-round pick and a guard for the next two to three years, or two first-round picks. They have enough time with Bledsoe to evaluate him and help him build up value.
Why the Bucks do it
This sounds like a tough sell for Milwaukee. Bledsoe his historically been a superior player to Schroder. Not only are the Bucks giving him up, but they’re also trading a first-round pick. That feels backward.
That’s not so. Schroder offers defensive strengths and ball handling. He’s a better shooter. He performs well in the playoffs, which is where Bledsoe takes a step back. He fits better next to Antetokounmpo. This first-round pick is included to convince the rebuilding Thunder to take on more salary in the deal.
Not convinced? Here’s some evidence:
- Schroder 2019-20 regular season stats: 18.9 points, 4.0 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 38.5% from 3 on 5.0 attempts per game.
- Bledsoe 2019-20 regular season stats: 14.9 points, 5.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 34.4% from 3 on 3.5 attempts per game.
- Schroder’s 22 playoff games since 2016: 18.1 points, 4.9 assists, 36.3% from 3 on 5.6 attempts per game.
- Bledsoe’s 31 playoff games since 2018: 13.1 points, 4.6 assists, 25.4% from 3 on 4.1 attempts per game.
Plus, Schroder was part of the Thunder’s closing lineup that had the best rating of all five-man groups in the NBA.
Schroder could help them win in a way Bledsoe has not.
The length of these contracts is also important.
The Bucks are not going to excite Antetokounmpo in their free agency pitch by saying “We have Bledsoe, let’s run it back.” But Schroder is on an expiring contract. “We have an extra $18 million, who do you want?” is a pitch that could get the MVP’s mind buzzing.
The upside comes down to this: Schroder is a better fit, a better postseason performer, and a better contract.
It’s a quick solution that could help a major approaching problem.
Why the Thunder don’t do it
Bledsoe’s contract is high-ish and his trade value is low-ish. The team may have to begin the season with Bledsoe before trading him. Maybe the losers of the 2021 offseason use their extra salary space to acquire him. It’s no certainty.
Yet Bledsoe is good. As much as a team may want to tank rebuild, it doesn’t want to be a boring, bad team. If Oklahoma City loses three of its four main starters, they will be, simply put, bad. Bledsoe can add some competition, even if they’re not good, it will help his trade value increase.
Why the Bucks don’t do it
Are they convinced Schroder will be more helpful than Bledsoe? Is that first-round pick too much to give up?
If the first answer is no, they don’t do it. If only the second answer is no, maybe they counter with a future second-rounder instead of the first.
Additionally, if Antetokounmpo does leave, they would also be without Bledsoe OR Schroder. Keeping Bledsoe just in case the superstar departs wouldn’t be a bad idea.
But the Bucks’ focus isn’t on 2022. It’s on 2021. Would flipping Bledsoe for Schroder make them less likely to win the championship?
I think it would do the opposite.
Who says no?
I like the deal for both teams, but I’d lean Thunder say no. I would expect them to pursue draft picks or young players on manageable contracts in a Schroder trade, not an $18 million player who will be 31 years old when next season begins. This would actually increase their payroll, which is the exact opposite of their intention entering the summer.
But to potentially get two first-round picks for a sixth man on an expiring contract? That’s tough to pass up.
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