The Milwaukee Bucks should jump on any opportunity to acquire win-now talent for the price of a second-round pick before the NBA’s February 6th trade deadline.

The Bucks are in the early stages of a tightly-contested playoff race with eight Eastern Conference foes within five-and-a-half games of each other. Entering Monday night, Milwaukee finds themselves in the middle of that pack–three-and-a-half games ahead of the currently 11-seeded Philadelphia 76ers, and two games behind the fourth-ranked Orlando Magic.

Marginal adjustments made at the trade deadline could be the difference between a playoff spot and a spot in the play-in tournament.

Entering Monday night, the Detroit Pistons hold a half-game lead over the aforementioned Sixers as the final play-in team. However, as a team attempting to leap into the playoffs for the first time since undergoing a lengthy rebuild, the Pistons don’t hold a realistic hope at a deep playoff run.

Thus, acquiring future draft capital in exchange for useful veterans could be enticing for their front office as the trade deadline approaches. Detroit is most likely outperforming front office expectations this season, which could cause the team to become sellers as a loaded 2025 Draft class draws nearer.

A deal between potential sellers in the Pistons and a team with championship aspirations in the Bucks could resemble the proposal below:

Bucks receive: Malik Beasley

Pistons receive: Pat Connaughton, 2031 second-round pick

Beasley’s market could be greater than anticipated, which may lead him to be dealt for more than one second-round pick. This would price the Bucks out of acquiring the sharpshooter due to their lack of expendable future draft capital. The second-round pick that is included is their only second-round pick through the 2031 draft. Detroit could use the second-rounder to consolidate with other picks in a more significant future trade to help fill out their roster around star Cade Cunningham.

Meanwhile, Connaughton is solely included for salary-matching purposes.

A Bucks reunion with Beasley after losing the shooter in free agency this past offseason would heavily bolster coach Doc Rivers’ rotation. After his lone campaign with Milwaukee a season ago, the now 28-year old veteran is averaging 16.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in Detroit. The 6-foot-4 guard has played 28.2 minutes per game in 32 games this season.

Beasley provides valuable floor-spacing and would thrive alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. Beasley is shooting an eye-opening 41.8 percent from three on an insane 9.3 threes per game as a Piston. Additionally, Beasley is tied with Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards for the league-lead in made three-pointers.

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