Milwaukee Bucks: 6 Wings To Trade For As Khris Middleton Replacements

If the Milwaukee Bucks look to add wings via trade in Khris Middleton‘s absence, which players are worth targeting?

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With the news of Khris Middleton’s devastating hamstring tear, that leaves him scheduled to miss approximately six months of action, the offseason and the prospects for the upcoming season were suddenly turned upside down for the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

Perhaps unsurprisingly considering small forward depth was thin on the ground to begin with (I’m being generous) and now the team’s starting shooting guard is out for the bulk of the season, The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Bucks are looking to add some new wing options to their roster.

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Assuming that the Bucks don’t go into full panic mode, making rash and unnecessary blockbuster deals, the reality is this will likely take the form of a deal for a quality rotation wing or an above average level starter who might just be available at the right price.

Who are the players who could fit the bill in terms of replicating Middleton’s play style, if not fully matching up to his contributions?

We take a look at six players who the Bucks should at least consider gauging the asking price on.

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P.J. Tucker

A low-key and steady wing contributor, Tucker has thrived in Phoenix over the past few seasons without really getting the credit his play has deserved.

At 31, Tucker has been around the block in the NBA and carries a nice mix of proven experience and more than enough still left in the tank to allow him to be a good role player for a number of years to come.

As a starter with the Suns for the best part of three seasons now, prizing Tucker away from Phoenix would be no easy task. Still, with no real path to instant contention and backcourt minutes spilling over on to the wings between Eric Bledsoe, Brandon Knight and Devin Booker, it’s not an impossible goal.

Tucker hits free agency next summer so it wouldn’t be wise to give up too much to get him, but he’s just the kind of player who could fill in perfectly in Middleton’s absence and still carry real importance in the rotation for the longer term if he could be convinced to stay on.

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Ben McLemore

Thought to be one of the steals of the 2013 NBA Draft when he was selected seventh overall by the Sacramento Kings, things haven’t really gone to plan for Ben McLemore through his first three seasons in the league.

There’s a strong possibility that trying to develop under the constantly changing and often dysfunctional environment of the Kings during that time hasn’t helped, and as a result, a change of scenery could prove to be best for both sides now.

McLemore wouldn’t come straight in and shoot and defend at the elite levels that Middleton can, but he would be a serviceable young deputy who already has good experience in the league under his belt.

Still only 23, picking up McLemore would give the Bucks another young player who could develop with the team in the coming years and would also give them the option to match offers on the St. Louis native when he hits restricted free agency next summer.

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Jeremy Lamb

Another intriguing, long wing, even though it could be argued that Jeremy Lamb still hasn’t fully figured it out as a pro, he could theoretically develop into a good fit for what Milwaukee is looking to build.

Between Oklahoma City and Charlotte, Lamb has four years of experience under his belt already, in spite of having just turned 24.

Having never averaged 20 minutes per game or more in any of his seasons to date, perhaps there’s some potential that still remains untapped with the former UConn Husky. As only a 33.6 percent three-point shooter to date, there probably needs to be some real improvement too.

Depending on what way you look at it, a deal for Lamb could be a better or worse idea than some other contenders on this list as he is tied in to a contract for the coming seasons. With Lamb owed $21 million over the next three seasons, a deal for the Virginia native would make him a central figure of future rotations.

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Reggie Bullock

A player who has received relatively limited opportunities throughout his career to date, Reggie Bullock certainly has the tools that NBA teams look for when chasing wings who fit the “three-and-D” mold.

Bullock is a player who is said to be valued quite highly by Stan Van Gundy and his coaching staff, but having only played 429 minutes last season and with minutes on the wings no easier to come by in Detroit in the coming season, it wouldn’t be a real surprise to see the Pistons willing to move him.

For what it’s worth, Bullock did make just under 44 percent of his 98 three-point attempts last season and has the capability to be a reliable range shooter in the NBA.

Bullock’s rookie contract does expire next summer, but the former 25th overall pick should remain affordable if he doesn’t breakout dramatically, and if he does manage to do that, well that would be one of those good problems.

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K.J. McDaniels

Since breaking on to the scene with impressive numbers on a terrible Philadelphia 76ers team in 2014-15, to say K.J. McDaniels has had a roller-coaster ride in the NBA might even be understating things.

Having been traded from Philadelphia to Houston, McDaniels has spent his first two seasons in the league in highly dysfunctional locker rooms and as a result it’s tough to figure out exactly what he is as a player.

What we do know is that McDaniels is a rangy, explosive athlete, who’s long and capable of knocking down jump shots in a streaky and inconsistent fashion.

With a more consistent role and share of minutes, and a more harmonious locker room, perhaps McDaniels could take a big step forward making the remaining two years of his contract at $3.3 million per a bargain worth envying.

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Robert Covington

This might be the dream scenario as it doesn’t feel like too much of a stretch to describe Covington as not just the best player on this list, but the player who is most similarly skilled in relation to Middleton.

As the Sixers have taken multiple gambles on undrafted players in recent seasons, none paid off in a bigger way than Covington who quickly proved himself to be an intelligent defender and a versatile offensive presence.

Covington can score, knocks down threes at a 37 percent clip, rebound well above average for his size, and is among the league’s best steals men.

Covington’s deal is so cheap that Philadelphia would seem reluctant to move him, but with the arrival of Dario Saric, Timothe Luwawu and Ben Simmons, positions two through four are suddenly a lot more crowded for the Sixers. This is a deal that might come at a higher price, but it’s a phone call worth making for Milwaukee’s execs.

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