When you’ve got a winning formula, keep using it. If you stop winning with it, you may need a new formula. This is a principle that NBA teams should keep in mind as much as anyone else.
The Milwaukee Bucks have had a winning formula. Specifically, they’ve surrounded Giannis Antetokoumnpo with floor spacing. Brook Lopez’s ability to stretch the floor has been vital to that formula. Unfortunately, last season, it didn’t result in as much winning as the Bucks would have liked. They were hoisted in the first round of the playoffs.
Is it time for them to switch that formula? Not necessarily. On the other hand, Lopez is aging. He won’t be able to man the middle for the Bucks on a full-time basis for much longer. Could they switch up their formula by acquiring Nicolas Claxton of the Brooklyn Nets as his long-term replacement?
The Trade Proposal
Brooklyn Nets receive: G/F Grayson Allen, 2028 First-Round Pick (MIL), 2030 First-Round Pick (MIL)
Milwaukee Bucks receive: C Nicolas Claxton
With that said, it can be hard to identify when a formula should be abandoned. It may not be winning now, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t win later. At the same time, stick with a formula for too long, and it can grow stale. For example, take the extended metaphor we’ve used here.
Do the Brooklyn Nets have a winning formula? It’s hard to say. On the one hand, this is one of the best defensive rosters in the NBA. The Nets are stacked with quality 3-and-D wings.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Meanwhile, Claxton’s ability to guard multiple positions ties everything together. The Nets switch aggressively and force opponents to deal with multiple different coverages.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
If they don’t have an offensive star, does it matter? Mikal Bridges looked the part of a secondary shot creator last season. Still, he’s not likely to drag the Nets very far on their own. This team feels like it’s got a limited ceiling. Is that a reason for them to trade Claxton?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
We think so. Still, if that doesn’t do it for, you consider Claxton’s upcoming contract negotiations. He’s due for a raise this summer. If the Nets give it to him, they’ll risk committing to mediocrity.
Some will argue that it doesn’t matter. The Nets owe their first-round picks to the Houston Rockets through to 2027. One could make the case that for them, mediocrity is better than bottoming out. We’d be inclined to disagree. For starters, the Nets only owe the Rockets a swap in 2025 and 2027. If Houston’s plans don’t work out, and both teams are near the bottom of the standings, they could still net some key future pieces through the draft.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
More broadly, the Nets should be thinking about trading for that offensive superstar. Here, they’re adding two unprotected first-round picks that could help them do exactly that. Should the Bucks send those picks away?
Why The Milwaukee Bucks Do The Deal
Some Bucks fans won’t love this, either. Granted, there are concerns. Brook Lopez is entrenched as the starting center. More importantly, how will Antetokoiumnpo and Claxton co-exist when neither can shoot?
Ask Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. With some creative coaching, the Heat took a trip to the NBA Finals around a duo with comparable floor spacing. In fact, they were the team that sent the Bucks home in the first round. Claxton and Antetokoumnpo can work.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
So can Claxton and Lopez. Why not? Lopez spaces the floor, and Claxton can guard any front-court position. For the time being, Claxton can function as a combo big off the bench and still get plenty of minutes. In the long run, he’ll be Lopez’s replacement. That sounds like a winning formula to us.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
