Hoops Habit
Fansided

5 Teams In Need Of Major Changes Before Deadline

By Jon Shames

Nov 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) goes for a shot against Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Monroe scored 20 points to help the Bucks beat the Nets 94-86. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) goes for a shot against Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) in the third quarter at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Monroe scored 20 points to help the Bucks beat the Nets 94-86. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next
Mar 9, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd talks with guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd talks with guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) during the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

2.) Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks were the Association’s big pleasant surprise of the 2014-15 season. After owning the league’s worst record just a year before (15-67), the Bucks pushed hard for the playoffs and finished at 41-41, good for sixth in the East.

But along the way, the team elected to trade for Michael Carter-Williams, sending Brandon Knight to Phoenix in the process. Carter-Williams was an awkward fit, and although the Bucks still played well with him, they lost a step in the second half of the year.

After signing Greg Monroe this summer, most expected Milwaukee to be near the top of the East. Needless to say that has not been the case. The Bucks are currently 18-25, 13th in the Conference. Their defense, a staple last season, has fallen off considerably without Zaza Pachulia. Milwaukee is now allowing 103.3 points per game, good for 21st in the NBA.

Like Sacramento, Bucks could be sellers or buyers this deadline. It’s tough to imagine them parting with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, or even Kris Middleton, but Monroe, Carter-Williams, and role players like O.J. Mayo and Jerryd Bayless could all be realistic targets for teams willing to pay.

Milwaukee needs an interior defensive presence, and Monroe just isn’t that guy. Tyson Chandler would be a good fit in Milwaukee, but his age could be a red flag for the Bucks, who are clearly attempting to create a young core.

Then again, if said core isn’t winning, then what’s the point of keeping it intact?

Next: A Broken Brooklyn