Milwaukee Bucks: 3 players most likely to be traded in 2018-19
1. D.J. Wilson
When the Milwaukee Bucks drafted D.J. Wilson in the middle of the 2017 NBA Draft’s first round, few watching thought it was the right pick. Wilson was a one-hit wonder at Michigan, relatively raw, and he played the same position as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker. Yet the Bucks loved length, and at least Wilson provided that.
Unfortunately, Wilson has provided little else thus far in his brief NBA career. It’s certainly possible that he will develop into a useful player, but the likelihood of that happening on the Bucks is slim. Milwaukee signed Ersan Ilyasova to a three-year contract to back up Antetokounmpo at the 4, leaving little room for Wilson to see developmental minutes.
The Bucks must hope that someone else sees potential in Wilson, and use him as a sweetener to move another contract or to add a useful player. Perhaps Wilson provides enough positive value to move Henson’s contract, or could be attached similarly to Dellavedova along with a second round pick. His relatively modest $2.5 million contract could help the Bucks get close enough in salary to bring in a player who can help as part of a larger deal.
Whether Wilson is traded or simply kept around as a developmental project, he represents one of the Bucks’ few limited avenues to improve. They could seek to use Wilson, Bledsoe or one of their young swingmen to add talent; alternatively they could seek to open up space to upgrade next summer. Either way Milwaukee should be all ears as it considers any trade opportunities to improve this team.