The Milwaukee Bucks figure to be an active player at the trade deadline as they try to give their defense a shot in the arm with some timely acquisitions. One player Milwaukee's front office reportedly monitors is Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins.
Versatile, agile defender
After becoming an All-Star and a key cog in the Warriors' run to the NBA title in 2022, Wiggins' play has fallen off a cliff, seemingly reverting to the trajectory he was on before joining the Dubs. His scoring and shooting numbers have dipped—12.2 points on 43 percent shooting, including 31 percent from long range—but so has his intensity on defense.
But that doesn't mean Wiggins isn't a valuable asset for any team looking to improve their defense. The 6'7" forward has shown flashes of brilliance as a versatile, agile defender who can guard multiple positions and disrupt passing lanes. And with the Bucks struggling to consistently stop opposing teams, Wiggs could be just the boost they need.
According to Yahoo Sports inside Jake Fischer, the Bucks are keen on Wiggins but are on the fence regarding the price it would take to pry him away from Golden State.
"Although in order for Milwaukee to reach Wiggins' $24.3 million salary, the Bucks would need to include forward Bobby Portis in any outgoing package, and Milwaukee, sources said, is going to think long and hard before sacrificing Portis in any deal at this deadline. Still, it should be noted Portis was one of Kerr's favorites during this summer's FIBA World Cup run with Team USA," Fischer wrote.
3-and-D guy
Another player Milwaukee is targeting is the Brooklyn Nets' Dorian Finney-Smith. The buzz between the Bucks and the Nets has been around since last week when SNY's Ian Begley reported the former's interest in the versatile forward. That stance has not changed heading to the trade deadline, as the Bucks are keen on finding a player who could improve their defensive standing.
"Milwaukee could use some added defensive depth following a rough start to the season in that department. The team ranks 19th in the league in defensive rating, even after parting ways with Adrian Griffin and replacing him with Doc Rivers," Erin Walsh wrote on Bleacher Report.
Finney-Smith, who is averaging 9.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 42 games while shooting 41.2 percent from the floor and 38.3 percent from deep, is a solid role-player who can defend multiple positions.
Because of that, it appears Brooklyn's asking price for the veteran has been set pretty high. According to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto, the Nets are looking for a "future first-round pick starting in 2025 or beyond that has a chance to be a potential Top 20 pick" in exchange for Finney-Smith.
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