With less than 24 hours before this year’s NBA trade deadline, the Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly set their sights on acquiring a former NBA MVP to bolster their bench.
Despite being without top secondary scorer Khris Middleton for a large part of the first half, and some struggles to begin the new year, the Milwaukee Bucks are again one of the best teams in the NBA this season. They have the second-best record (37-17) in a very deep Eastern Conference and are currently third in our latest NBA power rankings.
Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing like an MVP and the 2021 NBA champions have a top-10 level defense. However, the offensive side of the ball has been a major issue. Despite Middleton being back and guard Jrue Holliday having an All-Star season, they are middle of the road in the league scoring the ball, and their second unit has been a glaring weakness. Especially with Bobby Portis sidelined.
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That is why the Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly targeting a player that once dominated their division to try and give some needed punch to their reserves.
Milwaukee Bucks target Derrick Rose before NBA trade deadline
One team that is expected to be active before the Feb. 9 trade deadline is the New York Knicks. The seven-seed in the Eastern Conference is looking to improve its roster for a playoff run, but there are also several players that have fallen out of the rotation that the team is looking to move by 3 PM ET tomorrow.
On Tuesday, veteran NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Milwaukee Bucks have reached out to the Knicks about one-time NBA MVP Derrick Rose. The former Chicago Bulls star has seen his role diminished in 2022-2023 as Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has chosen to give more of the backcourt bench minutes to youngsters Immanuel Quickley and Miles McBride.
Rose’ health last season was one of the major reasons New York took a step back and missed the playoffs. After being acquired during the season two years ago, Rose played a pivotal role in pushing the Knicks to the fourth seed in the NBA playoffs in 2021 and well ahead of schedule for the rebuilding team.
- Derrick Rose stats (2022-2023): 12.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 32% 3PT
At 34, Rose is nowhere near the player he once was, and injuries continue to follow him each year. However, he is still a talented scorer, a well-liked player in every locker room he’s been in, and would be a worthwhile boost for the Milwaukee Bucks bench. Derrick Rose’s contract for next season is a $15 million club option.