Trade Rumors

I think Ersan has played really well this year, I really don't want to give him up.  Admittedly, I don't know much about Covington, but I would hate to see Ersan go.

I would be reluctant to mess with what they have going. I guess Covington can guard guys like Tatum or Butler, so I get what the thinking is. It frees up Giannis and keeps him out of foul trouble. 

Covington would be a nice pick up. Solid defender and a good character guy. He'd fit right in.

It will likely come down to what matchups they feel they need to prepare for the most in the playoffs. 

A key guy against the Celtics is Bledsoe as he needs to keep Kemba Walker in check with help from DD, Hill, and Brown. Tatum will be assigned to Giannis or Middleton. Hayward is a wild card in that matchup. 

Philly means controlling Embiid and T. Harris. We have the Lopez twins 12 fouls to use on Embiid. T. Harris is equivalent to Jason Tatum. 

The Heat is a potential tough matchup for the Bucks with all the 3 point shooters. You have to control Jimmy Butler (equivalent to Tatum/T. Harris). 

The Raptors means controlling Siakam and making sure FVV and Lowry don't go off (more Bledsoe on the latter two). 

Covington (or maybe Jae Crowder as a cheaper backup plan) gives you another guy to guard Tatum/T. Harris/Butler. 

The Wolves are an absolute mess right now.  It’s amazing all of the horrible drafting and personnel decisions they have made over the years.  LaVine and #7 pick that was Lauri Markannen for a 1 year Jimmy Butler rental.  Those two combined are averaging almost 40 PPG for the Bulls.

Covington was the main guy they got back in the Butler deal to Philly.   He’s pretty good overall.   Very good defender.   Decent shooter.   Pretty good teammate.  If Minnesota dealt him for Ersan that’s is such a Wolves type move.  I like what Ersan has done but Covington is better and I think could help them more come playoff time. 

Ersan is limited athletically. It works well in the regular season, and in some playoff matchups, but he’s a wasted roster spot against the smaller and more athletic lineups. 

The Bucks must improve their defense of the 3 point line. It cost them against Toronto last year, and you can bet it would repeat this year. If Minnesota would take Ersan, Brown (who I don’t think will be back), and the Indiana first rounder, I’d pull the trigger. They would then have a 6’9” defender that they could use to defend Paul George or Kawhi Leonard. That gives Middleton a better matchup so he isn’t neutralized. 

It makes a lot of sense... 

The Wolves have lost 8 straight to plummet out of the conference playoff standings. They keep the free fall going and it may be “blow up fire sale” time. That could make Covington available as they try to collect assets. Wiggins is untouchable, but if they want some first round assets (which the Bucks have), Covington would be perfect. 

Maybe a pipe dream, maybe not... but I’d say there’s some smoke here... 

I do see your points about wanting to guard the 3 point line better.  It is definitely the one thing the Bucks are not strong at, and Toronto successfully exploited it last year.  I don't know much about Covington, but if he's a little bit more athletic than some of the guys the Bucks currently have, then it might be worth a shot. 

Ersan is a decent rim protector, good defender & man can he take a charge or what?!?!!?

You sure you want to give him up? 

Also any new player needs to fit into the team concept that Coach Budd has built. There's more to it than just plugging in a "plus" player. 

It's not fantasy basketball. 

Ersan is a solid forward- but his lack of athleticism makes him unplayable against those kinds lineups that have speed and athleticism. 

Not so concerned about Eastern conference, but in a potential Finals against a team like the Clippers, it’s a concern. 6’9” with a 7’2” wingspan, all-NBA defense... that’s a better option IMO. But there are a bunch of teams kicking the tires on a trade... Bucks are not the only ones.