The Bucks seemed to be on the upswing and a good bet to make the playoffs coming into this season. As the trade deadline approaches, the outlook doesn’t look so rosy.
They have one of the league’s most dynamic players in Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has blossomed into an All-Star starter. They also made a wise choice in the second round of last June’s draft in Malcolm Brogdon, who has exceeded all expectations as a scorer and playmaker.
Little else has gone right for the franchise this season. Despite the efforts of Antetokounmpo, the Bucks have floundered below the .500 mark, due in part to Khris Middleton‘s injury. Middleton made his season debut on Wednesday after recovering from a torn hamstring. Just when the Bucks had all their main pieces in place, they suffered another devastating setback.
Second-league scorer Jabari Parker tore his ACL on Wednesday. He will miss the rest of the season and probably a good portion of next season. The snake-bit Parker also suffered a torn ACL during his rookie campaign, and one can only wonder how a second major knee injury will affect the remainder of his career and the fortunes of the Bucks franchise.
That leaves the Bucks front office in a difficult spot. They recently traded center Miles Plumlee to the Hornets in what was, by all appearances, a salary dump of a questionable contract they handed out last summer. But Milwaukee still has limited financial flexibility after shelling out big money to acquire free agents Greg Monroe, Mirza Teletovic and Matthew Dellavedova and retain John Henson.
Teletovic and journeyman Michael Beasley figure to get more playing time in the wake of Parker’s injury. Milwaukee finds itself with the 11th-best record in the East but it’s only one game in the loss column behind the Pistons, who currently hold the eighth and final spot.
That leads us to today’s topic: In the wake of Jabari Parker’s knee injury, should the Bucks make a move before the trade deadline to improve their playoff chances? Or should they stand pat and try to regroup in the summer?
Please take to the comments section to give us your input on this subject. We look forward to hearing your opinion.
They should stand pat. They have no assets outside of Monroe that they’d either be willing to part with or that another team would want. Regroup. Make some moves this summer. They’re not going to surprise anyone in the playoffs with jabari being out. At this rate they won’t even make it. I don’t see them making a big move. They would be jeapordizing some future pieces most likely and TBH that’s probably the worst thing they could do
After Jabari’s injury this Bucks season is over. No chance to make any noise in the playoffs. And probably no chance to make it. This team is going no where, fast. Middleton is at his peak. Maker has several years until he’s a difference maker at this rate. So don’t get stuck with another mediocre pick in the 10-15 range. Trade Monroe, and Teletovic. Get Thon Maker playing time. Drop into a top 8 pick and draft a franchise guard or a big forward/center to fill in for jabair if he is unable to return to an elite level. Around 8 guys like De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, Jayson Tatum, Johnathan Isaac, Dennis Smith Jr. Josh Jackson and Lauri Markkanen could be available. I would be surprised if I saw Ball and Fultz drop below 3. Retool this team to be prepared for not having Jabari for an extended period of time by drafting a franchise guard to pair with Giannis or a replacement for Jabari if he is not able to return to form. Both of which would still fit into the team or be a good asset if Jabari would still be able to play and develop at an elite level.
You say you would be surprised if ball or fultz drops out of top 3 but who’s saying at the current rate the bucks are going they don’t drop in the top 3 and potentially win the lotto then your looking at superstar Gianni’s with a franchise pg Middleton (with a full recovery) thon maker (who should start for Jabari) and jabari himself (praying for at least the 20 ppg Jabari. Now all of a sudden a tragedy turns into the makings of the next super team. The starting lineup could be Lonzo ball-pg, khris-sg, Giannis-sf, Jabari-pf, thon-c. SCARY or maybe it’s my mind desperate for a solution Idk.
If they can deal the giant contracts for something to gain, whether players more suited to get them to the playoffs, or get future young players/picks, then they should do it. I don’t see them making the playoffs without Jabari, with Middleton coming back from major injury, and then left with Giannes as well as the rest of the squad. As long as they keep there young players in Giannes, brogdon, maker, and maybe Henson and Parker, I’d throw the roster apart.
As well as Middleton, who is still a pretty good player, just probably not gonna show his skill right away.
Yep.
Wallow in the nightmare.
Emotionally regroup.
Find new rotations.
Dump salaries as long as they don’t have 1st Round picks attached.
Get Mids’ legs back.
Play Thon 12 minutes per.
Craft a long term vision for the roster that doesn’t include Jabari.
And evaluate everything this summer.
Gutting.
I liked everything but the plan for future without Jabari part he came back from an acl tear once it’s very much possible he does it again. But when he does don’t play him 40 minutes a game like Kidd played him last season
The Bucks aren’t going to lose much more than they already have. Beasley now his chance to fill it up. Jabby never played much “D”. Most Bucks don’t. Only the Suns have shown to be worse on defense.
Thon Maker will get valuable experience. Having Kevin Garnett in camp helps everyone close to Wisconsin…except the “T-wolves”. :)
Regroup by performing some trades so that way we have a couple picks in this years lottery. Like:
Send Monroe and more to Boston for the Brooklyn and a guard
Send Delly and Vaughn to Orlando for Ibaka
Do you really believe it’s as easy as Monroe for the 1st overall pick and delly and Vaughn for Orlandos best player. I hate to say it cuz I’m a passionate bucks fan but that’s a pipe dream
That’s why I said and more
I think they should trade for Derrick Favors
No reason to make a trade. They don’t have the assets to acquire a big time player. Stick with the current unit, and hope that the secondary guys can step up
I still believe the bucks can get into the playoffs because the teams motto is next man up. My opinion Beasley and maker can both bring not only energy but points and length. I love Jabari Parker and as exciting as his dunks are I don’t believe he will ever be the same player for any lengths time. Jabari is explosive but I think he carries more weight on those knees than they can handle especially the way he pushes off them. As I said I love the kid but he’s do probably $100 million in the near future and instead of investing in him because we don’t know for sure what he’s got left I would trade him or release him to grab an all star forward scorer.in the mean time we can make a deal sending Henson or hibbert along with delly and Vaughn to grab a shooting guard at this trade deadline. We have teletovich also to trade if need be. Give the kid maker the playing time with Beasley and I think we’re okay. I know I could be wrong on Jabaris future but he’s definitely a risk to our future that we’re building. Need to get back to playing defense and our length is key for that.
I know the bucks have to look at this from a business prospective and believe they will not invest that big money into Jabari after two ACL operations on the same knee. But I do know some other team will risk taking him because of his upside. We can’t afford to take that chance or we become the same ol bucks and we lose everyone eventually.Lets go get another superstar to compliment giannis while maker develops. We will have our own big three
Parker is still the man so stop saying all the BS he’s coming back better then ever watch what I tell u people he has the heart of a bull so remember he will return
You look for the best replacement andctrade future picks, go for it Cavs aren’t as strong either, have faith. There are teams that have assets and they could do something
I would do the exact opposite of everything you wrote.
I would not mind the Sixers attempting to get Middleton and attach Monroe’s contract as well.
Agreed.
Tank the season. Play Thon 15-20 minutes per night. Get crucial experience and a higher draft pick.
Then, this offseason, the new GM should SERIOUSLY consider looking for a new coach. Jason Kidd’s teams are consistently horrible on defense, and I just don’t see any progress–at all.
Tank, draft high, replace Kidd…
…and hopefully, “Own The Future.”
They should trade one or two bigs, to loosen the logjam there. Especially after acquiring Hibbert and Hawes. They could use a legit PG or another wing.
Good points.