"The league's three-week sprint to the Feb. 5 deadline is here, with front offices making calls, discussing trade scenarios and crunching numbers on salary cap aprons. But plenty of contenders are still deciding on a direction. Our weekly trip around The Association focuses on those teams trying to add to their rosters, those looking to subtract and, perhaps most impactful, those still pondering."
"What we're watching: How aggressively they pursue help for Giannis Among league executives contacted by ESPN, the Bucks were a near unanimous pick to be major players at the deadline. General manager Jon Horst and his front office's creativity in stretching assets is well known and, frankly, well respected throughout the league. Horst has canvassed the league in recent weeks for talent at basically any position, again looking to bolster the supporting cast around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo."
""Milwaukee still has a first-round pick they can trade, and they're $14 million under the luxury tax," an Eastern Conference executive said. "I've seen teams make chicken salad with less." The Bucks are a staggering 21 points per 100 possessions better when Antetokounmpo is on the court -- roughly the difference between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings. That's why the Bucks remain hopeful for a deep playoff run in the wide-open East."
The league enters a three-week sprint to the Feb. 5 trade deadline as front offices make calls, discuss trade scenarios and crunch salary-cap numbers. Many contenders remain undecided about direction and will evaluate add and subtract options. The Milwaukee Bucks are viewed as near-unanimous major players at the deadline, with general manager Jon Horst known for creative asset-stretching and recent canvassing for talent at multiple positions. Milwaukee holds a tradable first-round pick and sits $14 million under the luxury tax, providing flexibility. The Bucks outscore opponents by roughly 21 points per 100 possessions with Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court, and they remain hopeful for a deep playoff run despite recent struggles.
Read at ESPN.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]