With teams around the NBA looking for ways to upgrade their roster in advance of the February 6 trade deadline, Chris Mannix of SI.com wonders whether the 37-6 Bucks would be better off just standing pat. As Mannix notes, most general managers are inclined to give stock answers about being opportunistic and always looking for favorable deals, but Milwaukee might not want to even risk disrupting the team’s chemistry.
“The stock answer is true,” Bucks GM Jon Horst told Mannix. “Of course we are going to look around. Of course we are going to do our jobs. But we are going to be incredibly patient and incredibly protective of what we have. I think that’s fair and I think that’s smart. It doesn’t mean that we’re not going to do anything or that we shouldn’t do anything. But we have guys here that have shown they can impact games.”
Here are a few more notes and rumors related to the NBA’s trade market:
- The Rockets have shown previous interest in Timberwolves forward Robert Covington, but that interest has cooled and Houston isn’t currently pursuing him, an executive with knowledge of the team’s thinking tells Kelly Iko of The Athletic.
- ESPN’s Zach Lowe thinks the Heat are one player away from being “really dangerous” and hears from sources that the team is actively looking for that piece. According to Lowe, there has been plenty of speculation around the NBA about Miami – and other teams – targeting Jrue Holiday, but potential suitors don’t expect the Pelicans to move him this season.
- The Hawks‘ trade interest in Andre Drummond – which has apparently ended – was believed to be more ownership-driven, according to Chris Mannix of SI.com, who says the Pistons don’t have any real traction on a Drummond deal for now. Within his mailbag, Mannix also says he’d be surprised if the Warriors move D’Angelo Russell before the 2020 offseason.
- Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com says he’s gotten the sense that the Cavaliers have set an “internal price tag” on Tristan Thompson. Fedor believes the Cavs are probably unlikely to move the big man unless they get a first-round pick — a package like the one they got for Jordan Clarkson probably wouldn’t be enough.
If the Rockets can find a way to get Covington, they will.
We heard the same thing about Jimmy Butler
Harden and Westbrook make a combined $80 mil/ year so theyd have to trade Gordon or tucker to make it work
Or Nene, House, Thabo, and Green plus their standars offer of 4 1st round picks lol. Tucker and Gordon are too valuable to them, theh could replace the other 3 via buyout market though.
Still think Toronto is the favorite to land Drummond. Assuming he’s willing to opt in to his last year, Toronto will give up a pick to make another run.
Next year FA class is pretty mediocre and Drummond is probably the biggest name on the market. Doubt he opts in and then goes up against a better FA class the following year.
Pat Connaughton of the BUCKS has had a good/bad year which could draw hope from a GM. The Bucks however may consider him tradeable because they have other options for the 2G, though none at Giannis’ level.
6-5 SG Con’ton is shooting 29%from 3 but plays great defense and gets 9 boards per 36′. He may have accepted a specialist role but I think can do more.
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Lowe’s Miami story was his last of “10 things” and probably the weakest. Who wouldn’t be better off with a free Holiday!?
I’d actually rather the Cavs keep Thompson unless someone blows them away, which I don’t see happening. I don’t think a team will offer a first rounder to rent him for a few months.
I’m hoping the Cavs can extend him; he’s been a good influence on the younger guys, he’s having a really good year, and they aren’t really stocked with frontcourt depth anyway.