Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) shoots the ball against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Imagesimage captionDetroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) shoots the ball against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Detroit Pistons forward Simone Fontecchio (19) shoots the ball against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Bucks are in a tricky spot right now. They’re sitting at 12-11, which isn’t terrible, but it’s not where they want to be. Khris Middleton is back after those double ankle surgeries, but let’s be real—he hasn’t looked great yet, posting 11.0 points in under 35% from the field. He’s playing limited minutes and hasn’t found his groove, so the team knows they need more help.
Rumor has it, that the Bucks are putting Pat Connaughton on the table and have their eyes on Nets’ star Cam Thomas. The young scorer could bring some much-needed offense next to Lillard. And yeah, there’s always chatter about Giannis, but the Bucks seem locked in on keeping their superstar set and building around him. With the trade deadline coming up, the Bucks should try to make some noise and stay in the mix in the East.
A Sneaky Deal For An All-Around Wing
Simone Fontecchio
Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
Bucks receive: Simone Fontecchio
Pistons receive: Pat Connaughton, 2031 Second-Round Pick
The Bucks are stuck navigating the restrictions of the second apron, which makes their trade options super tricky. Under these rules, they can’t take back more salary than they send out, and they can only include one player per trade. That means every move has to be razor-sharp to comply with the cap rules. In this deal, Pat Connaughton’s $9.4 million salary for the next two years would be swapped for Simone Fontecchio’s $7.6 million salary—an exchange that fits the rules while giving the Bucks a new look on the wing.
The Bucks could take a shot at Simone Fontecchio in this trade idea, sending Pat Connaughton and a future pick to the Pistons. Connaughton’s been solid for the Bucks over the years, but this season? Not so much. He’s putting up 4.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting just 29.5% from three. For a team trying to win a championship, the Bucks need more production, and swapping him out for a guy like Fontecchio could be the move.
Fontecchio’s been sneaky good for the Pistons this season. The 6’7” forward is averaging 6.3 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting a cleaner 34.6% from deep. He’s a stretch-the-floor wing who can defend multiple spots, which is exactly what the Bucks could use to complement Giannis and Dame. He’s got the size and versatility to fit right into their system and give them some much-needed bench help.
Meanwhile, this trade would be all about looking to the future by the Pistons. They’re sitting at 10-15 and still trying to figure out what kind of team they want to be. Cade Cunningham’s been incredible, even throwing up a monster triple-double at Madison Square Garden recently, but the rest of the roster? It’s been a mixed bag. Adding Connaughton wouldn’t make a huge difference on the court, but his experience could be a nice locker-room boost for their young core. And the real win here for the Pistons is grabbing that future pick, which adds to their stockpile of assets.
This deal makes sense as a win-now move for the Bucks and a long-term play for the Pistons. Fontecchio brings shooting and versatility to a contending team, while Detroit gets a vet and another pick for the rebuild. It’s the kind of trade where everyone walks away happy—or at least that’s the idea.
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A Depth Move That Could Be Huge
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bones Hyland (5) shoots the ball during the second quarter of NBA preseason game
Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Bucks receive: Nicolas Batum, Bones Hyland
Clippers receive: Pat Connaughton
The Bucks could pull off a savvy depth move here by grabbing Batum and Hyland from the Clippers. Batum’s stats this season aren’t going to blow anyone away—he’s averaging 3.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 18 minutes per game, shooting 36.6% from the field and 35.5% from deep. But let’s be real, the dude knows his role. He’s a smart defender and a reliable floor-spacer who can still make an impact in limited minutes, especially in a playoff setting.
Hyland, though, is where things get interesting. He’s only playing 10.4 minutes a game but still putting up 7.7 points while shooting an impressive 43.9% from three. The Clippers’ backcourt rotation is a mess, and he’s just not getting the opportunity to shine. On the Bucks, Bones could step into a much bigger role, bringing energy and instant offense off the bench—exactly what they’d be hoping to get from someone like Cam Thomas. And honestly, with the Bucks strapped for picks and flexibility, taking a shot on a guy like Hyland makes a ton of sense, it’s almost a guarantee they won’t be able to pry Thomas away from Brooklyn.
For the Clippers, this move helps them stay afloat in a weird season. Kawhi is still out with that lingering knee issue, and Paul George is struggling hard with the 76ers, leaving the Clippers leaning a lot on James Harden and Norman Powell. Powell’s been great, putting up over 23.6 points a night, but the team’s depth has been all over the place. Adding Connaughton gives them a dependable role player who can defend, knock down open threes, and fit into whatever lineup they throw out there, since this Clippers team is quite deep on wings and perimeter defenders.
This trade wouldn’t make headlines, but it’s the kind of move that works for both teams. The Bucks get an experienced vet in Batum and a potential scoring spark in Hyland, while the Clippers add a steady, versatile piece in Connaughton to help stabilize things as they try to make sense of their season. It’s not flashy, but it’s a win-win.
A Low-Cost Gamble For The Future
Nov 24, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Jalen Wilson (left) dribbles against Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (right) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center
Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Bucks receive: Jalen Wilson
Nets receive: MarJon Beauchamp, 2031 Second-Round Pick
The Bucks are ready to move on from MarJon Beauchamp, and honestly, it’s not a surprise. They declined his $4.8 million team option for next season, and he’s barely gotten off the bench this year—averaging just 1.6 points and 0.8 rebounds in 3.2 minutes per game. It’s pretty clear he’s not part of their future, so swapping him for Jalen Wilson feels like a solid move to shake things up.
Wilson’s been solid for the Nets in his rookie season. He’s putting up 8.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 25 minutes per game while shooting 43% from the field and 34.5% from three. The Bucks could use that kind of production on the wing, especially from a young player who’s already shown he can contribute. Wilson brings versatility, a decent shooting touch, and the potential to grow into a reliable rotation piece—something Beauchamp just hasn’t done.
For the Nets, it’s a low-risk deal. Beauchamp hasn’t shown much yet, but maybe he just needs a fresh start and some more playing time. Brooklyn’s in a spot where they can afford to take chances on young players, and they’re also getting a future second-round pick in the deal. Even if Beauchamp doesn’t pan out, the pick gives them some extra ammo down the road.
This isn’t the kind of trade that makes headlines, but it’s one of those moves that works for both teams. The Bucks get a guy who can help them now and has room to grow, while the Nets take a swing on Beauchamp and add a future pick to their stash. It’s a clean, simple win-win.