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Milwaukee Bucks: 5 Ways Trade Deadline Affected Their Playoff Run

By Josh Cornelissen

Nov 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) and forward Khris Middleton during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 91-87. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) and forward Khris Middleton during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 91-87. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Lou Williams (23) attempts a shot defneded by Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (left) during the first quarter at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Lakers won 109-94. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Lou Williams (23) attempts a shot defneded by Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala (left) during the first quarter at Staples Center. The Los Angeles Lakers won 109-94. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Lou Williams to Houston

The Los Angeles Lakers overhauled their entire organizational structure just two days before the trade deadline, appointing Magic Johnson head of basketball operations and agent Rob Pelinka the new general manager, replacing Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak, respectively.

In the hours immediately following the shakeup, the Lakers traded guard Lou Williams to the Houston Rockets for a 2017 first round pick and wing Corey Brewer.

Whether this pick simply gives Houston guard insurance in case of an injury, or vaults them into an all-time great offense, the Bucks do not play Houston again this season and therefore are not directly affected by the Rockets’ improvement.

It’s the ripple effect that hits Milwaukee, first stopping in Charlotte, NC. The Hornets, 1.5 games back of Milwaukee, were rumored to be interested in Williams. He would have filled a role similar to Jeremy Lin last season, who helped Charlotte fight to 48 wins and a Round 1 Game 7 against the Miami Heat.

Missing out on Williams, the Hornets did not make a move on trade deadline day. Whether that was a lack of interest or a lack of ammunition, Charlotte may be regretting its decision not to add firepower.

In an overtime collapse to the Detroit Pistons Thursday night, the Hornets’ bench shot 6-for-21. In the fourth quarter and overtime, no player other than Kemba Walker made a single field goal from outside the restricted area. Playing across the country in Houston,  Lou Williams shot 7-11 from three-point range for 27 points in his Rockets debut.

Charlotte’s loss may be Milwaukee’s gain. If the offense continues to struggle without a reliable second scorer, they will continue to lose games because the defense has not been up to its usually elite levels under coach Steve Clifford. If the Hornets fall back, Milwaukee will have no clear challengers as it tries to unseat one of the teams currently in the Eastern Conference’s top eight.

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