Bucks rumored to target $21 million defender in trade with Bulls

The Milwaukee Bucks are a strong candidate to retool during the upcoming NBA season.

With their lack of depth, the Bucks should be looking to add to their roster. The front office attempted to solve that problem this offseason with the acquisitions of guards Delon Wright and Gary Trent Jr. However, a pivot by the front office may be necessary depending on the performance of the two new veterans.

A leap by second-year 3-and-D wing Andre Jackson would also be largely beneficial, assuming he’s able to gain the trust of coach Doc Rivers. A secondary ball-handler next to Damian Lillard who can impact the game defensively appears as the Bucks’ most obvious need at the moment.

That void could be filled with the acquisition of Chicago Bulls combo guard Ayo Dosunmu. As noted by Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes, the Bucks could acquire Dosunmu for Bobby Portis’ $12.5 million salary and a 2031 first-round pick.

With the Bulls possibly heading toward another season of missing the postseason, it would make sense for them to move on from some of their talent, like Dosunmu. This way, Chicago can stock up future draft capital. Additionally, this hypothetical move would reunite Chicago with the former Bull, Portis, barring a buyout.

Hughes described Dosunmu’s potential role in Milwaukee as “A player who’d slot right into Milwaukee’s rotation and provide defensive cover for Damian Lillard.”

Dosunmu was a second-round pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Illinois. The 24-year-old was named to the All-Rookie Second Team in 2022.

Any contender could use the services of a player with a profile like Dosunmu. With the Bucks and Bulls potentially positioned to make a deal, this mock trade would make sense for both sides.

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