The Milwaukee Bucks completed a trade today that will bring another solid scoring threat to their blossoming roster. By trading away role players Dan Gadzuric and Charlie Bell to Golden State, the Bucks snagged Corey Maggette in return.
Adding Maggette is a sensible acquisition for Milwaukee, as it ensures an offensive presence on the wing for next season in advance of knowing whether or not free-agent John Salmons will be in a Bucks uniform next season. Maggette also gives Milwaukee an aggressive slasher and strong finisher in the paint. For a team that was starting Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, it will be nice to add a veteran player like Maggette to the lineup. That being said, Maggette’s effort (especially on the defensive end) can be sporadic, and there will certainly be an adjustment from Don Nelson’s free-wheeling style to Scott Skiles’ tight ship.
For the Warriors, this was more of a business trade than an (immediate) on-court improvement trade. Through the duration of all players’ contracts, the Warriors will be saving about $15 million with this trade. Golden State has already made a fiscally focused transaction this season by trading a second-round draft pick (34th) for Portland’s 44th pick and a reported $2 million.
But the Warriors also feel as though moving Maggette, aside from financial factors, may make sense on the court as well. While they were riddled with injuries this season, they expect big things out of Brandan Wright and Anthony Randolph, and moving Maggette opens up more time for them and will help speed up their development.
Do you think the addition of Maggette makes Milwaukee a team that will make it out of the first round next year? Or will his losing ways bleed over to a team trying to build off of last season’s successes?
