Milwaukee Bucks willing to part ways with Michael Carter-Williams, Greg Monroe

0
1258
Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

The Milwaukee Bucks shocked the world at last year’s trade deadline by moving Brandon Knight to Phoenix in a three-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers and Suns, a swap that landed them former Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams. According to Gery Woelfel of RacineSportsZone.com, the Bucks may look to again trek down the path of surprise as we near this season’s deadline, with whispers of Milwaukee shopping Carter-Williams and their big offseason acquisition Greg Monroe. 

Based on conversations with several NBA execs from both the Eastern and Western conferences, the Bucks are more than receptive to playing “Let’s Make a Deal.’’

And that includes possibly moving Carter-Williams, who has been consistently inconsistent since joining the Bucks. Carter-Williams has had some dynamic games this season, like an 18-point, 13-assist outing against Sacramento and a 20-point, 12-assist showing against Chicago.

But Carter-Williams isn’t the only frontline player the Bucks are apparently willing to move. A much bigger surprise is the Bucks have made known that center Greg Monroe is available at the right price, according to some NBA officials.

Milwaukee made the playoffs in 2014-15 with a record of 41-41, and although they were a first round fatality at the hands of the Chicago Bulls, they looked as if they were ready to ascend from opening round fodder to a perennial playoff squad.

This season has been marred by disappointment for the Bucks, as they currently nurse a 20-31 record, good enough for only 14th in the Eastern Conference. Going into this season Milwaukee had hoped to been grouped with teams such as Indiana and Detroit, who are 7th and 8th seeds in the East respectively, but instead they’ve been bracketed with the likes of Philadelphia and the Brooklyn Nets, who round out the East’s bottom three teams along with Milwaukee. 

On paper the Bucks oozed potential, but fits have been problematic in Milwaukee. Carter-Williams’ inability to shoot from the outside at a consistent clip makes him a bad player to pair next to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jabari Parker, who is still looking to extend his range to NBA level. As for Monroe, his ball-stopping tendencies have prevented the Bucks from playing an up-tempo style and his poor defensive skills haven’t meshed well with the Bucks’ pushy defensive scheme.

A lot of whispers are heard near and at the trade deadline, but this one is definitely of interest. Milwaukee has regressed after a season in which it seemed they were ready to take a permanent place in the East’s playoff picture. When things go awry after such a promising campaign, management will look to tinker with things to return to that status. It’s just interesting to think that Carter-Williams and Monroe, two guys who were perceived as mainstays (not so much in the case of MCW,) are rumored to be on the block this soon in their tenures. 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here