While the Cleveland Cavaliers continue their negotiations with the Boston Celtics for extra compensation in the Kyrie Irving trade, the Milwaukee Bucks have offered an alternative should the Cavs decide to pull out of the deal with Boston. The Bucks have put together a trade package for Irving centered on second year point guard Malcolm Brogdon and veteran sharpshooter Khris Middleton. Brogdon is coming off an impressive rookie season in which he averaged 10.2 points and 4.2 assists in 75 games. He shot 51% from the field and 40% from three point range in his first season in which he took the starting point guard job away from Matthew Dellavedova.
Khris Middleton averaged 14.7 points while shooting 43% from three point range. His best season was 2015/2016 when he averaged 18.2 points in 79 games. Both Brogdon and Middleton are solid defenders. The Bucks would most likely have to include a first round pick in the deal to sweeten the offer. The chances of the Boston deal getting vetoed is slim at this point and it is expected to be completed by Thursday’s 10:00 am deadline. In the unlikely event that it does fall through the Bucks will be waiting at the head of the line to jump in and snag Irving.