Coming off their championship run last season, the Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2021-22 NBA season as the team everyone is circling on their schedule. 

Due to Jrue Holiday missing some games because of injuries and Khris Middleton being in the league’s Health and Safety protocols, the Bucks began the year just 6-8, but they have won five straight to move to 11-8. 

Now starting to look like the championship-level team they are at full-strength and Giannis Antetokounmpo continuing to improve, the Bucks certainly look like they have a great shot to defend their title this season. 

Perhaps the biggest strength of this Milwaukee team though is how much more depth and versatility they have this season than last season. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This 76ers-Bucks Trade Involves Ben Simmons To Milwaukee

Grayson Allen, Bobby Portis, Jordan Nwora and George Hill have all played important roles for this team in the second-unit and while Brook Lopez has only played in one game this season, this team is still finding ways to win without a true center! 

Up-and-down this Bucks roster, there really are not any holes that need to be filled and already having a hefty tax bill, they probably will not make any moves prior to the trade deadline this season, but this may not stop them from shopping around. 

Brook Lopez was certainly a big part of Milwaukee’s success last season, but the Bucks are proving early on this year that they may not actually need him.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This 76ers-Bucks Trade Involves Ben Simmons To Milwaukee

Making $13.3M this season and then close to $14M next season, Lopez could be a player the Bucks look to move this season, saving them a chunk of cash in the long-run. 

Do the Bucks have the ability to make some big trades ahead of this season’s trade deadline? Let’s take a look at three players Milwaukee could target, as proposed by Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, and evaluate whether or not the Bucks should “pass or pursue” said trade targets.