Stardom is not promised to any NBA player. A player may be on pace for it, but several factors can knock them off course. Injuries are perhaps the most prominent one. A major injury can set an NBA player on an entirely new trajectory.
Look at Collin Sexton of the Utah Jazz. At one point, Sexton looked destined for stardom. He was scoring at an extremely high volume with solid efficiency. Sexton was one of the most talented young scorers in the NBA. With that said, he hasn’t looked the same since a major injury.
He has flashed that potential. Sexton saw a decrease in his usual minutes with the Jazz last season. When he was on the floor, he still looked the part of a talented volume scorer. Could the Jazz trade him to the Milwaukee Bucks anyway?
The Trade Proposal
Utah Jazz Receive: F/C Bobby Portis, G/F Grayson Allen, 2024 Second-Round Pick (POR via MIL), 2027 Second-Round Pick (MIL)
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: G Collin Sexton
Nothing is promised to an NBA player. As is often the case, the inverse is also true. A player may not be destined for stardom, but they may find it anyway/. An NBA player’s trajectory is extremely difficult to predict.
Take the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokoumnpo. Leading up to the draft, this was not a player who was expected to be an NBA star. As a prospect in Greece, Antetokoumnpo was raw. His physical profile was impressive, but there were questions about him. Could this kid even play basketball?
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
We’ve got our answers. If Antetokoumnpo isn’t one of your top 3 players in the NBA, you’ve likely got a bias. This is a league-defining superstar. Recently, Bucks fans have been concerned about his long-term future in Milwaukee. Antetokoumnpo has indicated that he’d leave the team if they weren’t positioned to make a second title run. Does adding Sexton put them in a better position?
Why The Milwaukee Bucks Do The Deal
If Antetokoumnpo has concerns about the Bucks’ current roster, that’s perfectly reasonable. This group is aging. It’s hard to see how they’re going to improve. Above all else, the Bucks could use an injection of youth. Enter Collin Sexton.
With that said, the Bucks shouldn’t just acquire any young player. They need to look at their roster and consider their needs. That’s what we’ve done here. The Bucks could use a guard who can create his own offense. Ideally, that guard would be a plus defender – that’s practically a prerequisite for playing for this team. Sexton checks both boxes. He’d be a sensible addition to this roster.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
He’d also be a risky one. The Bucks are parting with two reliable rotation players and a pair of second-rounders here. Meanwhile, it isn’t clear whether Sexton will ever return to his previous levels. At the same time, if this works out, it could be huge for the Bucks. Should the Jazz risk missing out on Sexton’s return to prominence?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
The Jazz are a difficult team to make predictions about. This team is at a crossroads. They could justify rebuilding measures, and they could make winnow moves. This deal splits the difference.
After all, they’re bringing in two quality rotation players here. Granted, the Jazz already have a logjam at the 4. Still, unlike the other 4s on this roster, Portis is a viable 5 – he’d likely function as Walker Kessler’s primary backup. That duo would give the Jazz a versatile rotation at that position. Meanwhile, Allen is a reliable contributor who’s already played in Utah.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz & Milwaukee Bucks Updates
This boils down to the plans that Utah already has for Sexton. If they intended on featuring him more prominently next season, they’ll pass on this deal. On the other hand, if they intend on keeping him on the bench, they might as well pick up some assets for him. If he gets back on his star trajectory in Milwaukee, they’ll just have to live with that.
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