NBA Trade Grades: Bucks Set To Deal Miles Plumlee For Roy Hibbert, Spencer Hawes
Milwaukee Bucks
Will trading for Roy Hibbert and Spencer Hawes suddenly help the Bucks get back into the Eastern Conference playoff picture? It feels unlikely, especially since their frontcourt is now overloaded between the two new arrivals, John Henson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker, Greg Monroe, Mirza Teletovic and rookie Thon Maker.
Even with Khris Middleton hopefully returning soon, a more logical trade would’ve been to target some help on the wing or in the backcourt.
Trading Plumee was hardly a surprise. What was a surprise is the Bucks didn't acquire a much-needed backcourt player.
— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) February 2, 2017
However, the Bucks score some points for getting out of that head-scratching four-year, $52 million deal they gave Plumlee last summer. Hawes and Hibbert may not seem like much, but it’s not like Plumlee was giving them anything.
All in all, this move gives Milwaukee flexibility for the future and short-term help for the playoff hunt.
I like this deal for the Bucks. They get out of Plumlee's lengthy contract and now gain potential flexibility. Nice forward-thinking move. https://t.co/27kEW0cWWc
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 2, 2017
Though both Hibbert and Hawes are able to join the free agency market this summer, the Bucks may be all right with letting them walk since it’d help them out with Tony Snell‘s upcoming restricted free agency:
The expiring contract of Roy Hibbert and player option for Spencer Hawes gives Milwaukee flexibility in the off-season with RFA Tony Snell.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 2, 2017
Hibbert never carved out his rim-protecting role in Charlotte under Steve Clifford, but he could be moderately useful in limited minutes, averaging 5.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 16.0 minutes per game so far this season. Perhaps he could help with the league’s 21st-ranked defense.
As for Hawes, his reputation as a stretch-5 might have made him a boon to the NBA’s ninth-most efficient three-point shooting team, but so far this season, he’s only shooting 29.1 percent from deep on 1.6 attempts per game.
Next: 2017 NBA Trade Deadline: Grades For All 30 Teams
A trade for a guard would’ve made more sense, but at the very least, Milwaukee wins the deal by ridding itself of Plumlee’s albatross of a contract.
Grade: B-