The Milwaukee Bucks are still waiting on the return of star forward Khris Middleton from injury, but if their woes continue, the team’s patience is bound to run out.
Middleton is recovering from his ankle surgeries this offseason, as the Bucks are 3-8 ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. Assuming Milwaukee fails to battle back into the playoff picture without Middleton on the court, trading him away could be the only option.
Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Bucks and Houston Rockets:
Bucks receive: Dillon Brooks, Tari Eason
Rockets receive: Khris Middleton, 2031 first-round pick (top-one protection; turns into 2031 second-rounder if not conveyed)
It’s hard to imagine the Bucks moving off arguably the second most important piece of their 2021 championship roster before big man Bobby Portis or guard Pat Connaughton. However, Middleton could grant the Bucks a greater return package than either of the names listed previously.
“Milwaukee desperately needs athleticism and perimeter defense—to name just a few things,” B/R’s Dan Favale wrote. “Brooks and Eason are not the most explosive, but they deter and disrupt. Ball containment and the ability to force turnovers go from crippling weaknesses to strengths with them in the fold.”
“Moving Middleton is tough—both emotionally and functionally. The former matters, but cannot be a deciding factor,” Favale wrote.
While Brooks can of course provide immediate help to the Bucks’ defense, Eason is arguably the more important piece of the deal. At 23 years old, he is averaging 11.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 steals on 54.6% shooting through 11 appearances this season.
This means Eason can act as a win-now contributor or remain with the team in a rebuild if Giannis Antetokounmpo requests a trade.
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