It seems as if every team in the league has a big man problem. And, ideally, the Bucks should be the last team to have such a problem, considering the presence of giants like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez! However, after last night’s embarrassing loss against the Trail Blazers, Coach Doc Rivers candidly addressed the team’s lack of backup on the frontcourt. Importantly, this worrying statement came amidst the coach’s public criticism of Khris Middleton. Was he hinting at a trade request?

The Bucks have had so many issues throughout the season. Bobby Portis Jr., the second unit leader, hasn’t performed to the best of his abilities this season. Importantly, Doc Rivers, in his usual yet controversial blame-game trait, had dragged the 6 ’10 tall player’s name multiple times in the postseason. In fact, the big man’s name also loomed over the trade mill throughout the offseason. However, looking at the current situation on the roster, the Milwaukee team can’t rid of Bobby Portis so easily.

Why? Portis is suitable as a backup center to cover for Lopez (who’s 36 years old) and Giannis for brief periods. Taking him out will create a suffocating situation for the Bucks, like last night. Highlighting Portis’s absence, Doc said, “We’re trying to play a small lineup a lot and because we only have three bigs, you know, and so when you take off our bigs away it really, it really wears on us.” 

Well, the team could simply replace him with another big, right? But there’s another concern as well.

They seem to be having a serious problem with another player, and that is Khris Middleton, the veteran ace shooter. Speaking of his poor game last night, Rivers said, “He didn’t touch the ball, and that’s the bottom line. Like Khris Middleton, had a hell of a game last night and he had two attempts tonight. That’s inexcusable.” It seemed like an indirect message to the front office, didn’t it? So, what does it leave the Bucks with, as there are only a few days remaining before the deadline?

What’s the trade situation like for Doc Rivers’ Bucks?

Looking at the way things have gone for the Bucks- Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo definitely need some role players to support their playoff cause. Even though the duo has been consistently generating buckets, the surrounding players rarely contribute, leaving them with plenty of ‘down to the wire’ type of game losses. They just cannot get over the line.

Top Comment by Darius Gardner

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Debate

One of the strong trade news that emerged out of Wisconsin was about Bobby Portis Jr. The Athletic reported that plenty of teams have shown interest in acquiring the big man, as he seemed to fit the need across multiple franchises. However, at the same time, the Bucks are adamant about not letting him go without a capable star in return.

Now that the Khris Middleton issue seems to have emerged, the team may have to stick with Portis. Or maybe they can even rekindle their ambitions with Bradley Beal, who was on their radar before roping in Dame Lillard. Well, Beal’s in the market again, tied in with the entire Jimmy Butler fiasco coming out of Miami. A 4-team trade is on the cards and the Bucks could be one of the teams too.

So, what do you think? Who will the Bucks trade and who will they end up with? Let us know in the comments.