It is crazy to think that the NBA Trade Deadline is next week. Teams will need to make their decisions on players next Thursday afternoon. People believed that the Milwaukee Bucks would not be making many moves last season. Then they surprised everyone by acquiring Nikola Mirotic. As a team contending for an NBA title, Bucks should always be looking to make additions. John Hollinger and Nate Duncan talked on their podcast about potential options for the Bucks and other contenders. The number one option they landed on was Bogdan Bogdanovic of the Sacramento Kings. This would be a strong, strong move, but do the Bucks have enough to make it happen?

As Hollinger and Duncan outline in their podcast, Milwaukee has a valuable asset with Indiana’s first-round pick. Currently, that pick sits at number 22. That is around the range the pick will be when the deadline arrives next week. That is a tasty carrot for a team that is looking to rebuild and retool their roster. Even though Sacramento made a respectable playoff push last year, they do not seem interested in paying both Bogdanovic and Buddy Hield. This would give the Kings two picks in the top 25 to start reshaping their team and build with their young core.

Bucks will likely need to five up more than just a first-round pick. There are a variety of options that Bucks could include in this deal. With Bogdanovic coming in at only eight million dollars, it will not take a ton of leg work from Jon Horst and crew. D.J. Wilson, Sterling Brown, Dragan Bender could all be included with that first-round pick. If Kings needed more than that, Pat Connaughton would be an interesting addition, although, I think he is woven in the chemistry of the Bucks.

Hollinger and Duncan do discuss Donte DiVencenzo being in trade talks, and I don’t think he’s worth putting it trades. I get that this is the ‘Bucks year’, but Donte could be a cornerstone role player for this team. I’m not ready to move on from him when he showed an ability to be out there in big games and down the stretch in the final five minutes of a close game. DiVencenzo doesn’t get the respect nationally but watching him night in and night out, I know he will be a huge part of the Bucks playoff success.

There are some other names mentioned by the hosts – Evan Fournier of the Orlando Magic (Little pricy for me), Marcus Morris (Adds some definite toughness, but a big contract for his skills) and Derrick Rose (Interesting, but probably not needed). With Rose, Bucks should show some interest. They could drive up his price and screw a rival like Philadelphia doing so. All are intriguing names, but for me, it starts and finishes with Bogdanovic. We’ll see if Bucks general manager Jon Horst can make it happen.

Charlie.