The Milwaukee Bucks are the worst team in the NBA this season, and have been clear about their tanking goals from the start. That doesn’t mean they won’t like to add some quality players before the trade deadline, which specifically means Eric Gordon of the New Orleans Pelicans.
At 9-43, they’re on pace not just to finish with the worst record in the league, but also have the worst season in franchise history. It won’t sadden anyone if this will be enough to land them the number one pick in the draft, that should be rich with talent even if more and more players are talking about staying for a second season, thinning talented pool for Freshmen and Sophomore initially showing their intentions of entering the NBA.
While the Bucks have been enjoying the development of John Henson, Khris Middleton and above all Giannis Antetokounmpo, some veterans like O.J. Mayo and Gary Neal have either been disappointing or simply used to a bare minimum just so they won’t interfere with the franchise’s attempt of winning as few games as possible.
That doesn’t mean they don’t want to get back on the winning track next season, and many believe that this roster isn’t good enough for that, even in the weakening East. According to Gery Woelfel of The Journal Times, the Bucks’ front office has been keeping their eyes on Eric Gordon of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Despite his contract ($30 million for the next two years plus a 15% trade kicker in the contract), getting him while sending Gary Neal and O.J. Mayo in return (Mayo is signed until 2016 with $8 million a season, Neal has a deal for another year worth $3.25 million) would pretty much improve the team, and give them a scorer that has no problem in leading a team, even though he’s not actually All-Star talent.
The injury problems? Gordon has missed only three games this season, which means that his issues are behind him. He’s averaging 15.8 points per game, but playing next to Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans isn’t really helping him get the amount of shots he would like to. Brandon Knight isn’t exactly ball shy, but Gordon will potentially be a bigger part of the Bucks’ offense if he plays there, and is perceived as better than Mayo, even if he is more expensive.
Whether or not this deal makes sense, the Bucks seem like they’re planning to do something. For the Pelicans, moving Gordon is something they’ve been waiting to do for quite some time, but the package the Bucks are offering might not be all that great.