The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly kicking the tires on a potential trade that could shake up their bench scoring - and possibly their frontcourt depth. According to league chatter, Milwaukee has had exploratory talks with the Sacramento Kings about a deal that would send Bobby Portis and a minimum-salary player to Sacramento in exchange for Malik Monk and Keon Ellis.
On paper, it’s a move that could inject some much-needed offensive firepower into Milwaukee’s second unit. Monk, even in a bit of a down year by his standards, is still a proven scorer who can heat up in a hurry.
He’s the kind of microwave shooter who can swing a game in a few possessions, and that’s something the Bucks have sorely lacked off the bench lately. Ellis, meanwhile, brings a defensive edge on the perimeter - a gritty, high-motor guard who can guard multiple positions and bring energy to a team that has looked flat at times.
But this deal wouldn’t come without risk. Trading away Portis - one of the few reliable bigs behind Giannis Antetokounmpo and Myles Turner - would leave Milwaukee even thinner up front.
And that’s already been an issue for this team. The Bucks have struggled with size and physicality all season, particularly when it comes to rebounding and defending in the paint.
Swapping out a 6-foot-10 bruiser for two guards under 6-foot-5 could make that problem even worse.
Portis hasn’t been quite as productive this season as in years past, but he’s still a valuable piece - a versatile forward who can stretch the floor, bang down low, and bring toughness that’s hard to replicate. If Milwaukee lets him go, they’ll need a plan to replace his minutes and his muscle.
That’s where things get interesting. If the Bucks can pull off the Monk-Ellis deal without giving up draft capital or one of their promising young players - like Ryan Rollins - it opens the door for a second move.
There’s been buzz around names like Kyle Kuzma and Jericho Sims as possible fits to bolster the frontcourt. While nothing is imminent, the idea of pairing those two as backups to Giannis and Turner would at least address the size issue.
And don’t sleep on Pete Nance, either. The big man has been turning heads with the Wisconsin Herd, Milwaukee’s G League affiliate.
On a two-way deal, Nance has shown enough promise that a call-up could be in the cards if the Bucks find themselves short on bigs. He’s been playing with confidence, and while G League success doesn’t always translate, Milwaukee might not have the luxury of waiting.
The trade deadline is still a few weeks away, and the Bucks are clearly surveying all their options. Nothing’s set in stone, but the reported interest in Monk and Ellis signals a willingness to shake things up - and possibly say goodbye to a key piece of their recent playoff runs.
If this is the beginning of a broader reshuffling, Milwaukee’s front office will need to thread the needle - boosting their scoring punch without compromising their ability to compete physically in the postseason. It’s a tough balance, but one worth exploring if the right pieces fall into place.