The Milwaukee Bucks are in a bit of a pickle right now as they are down 2-0 to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Giannis Antetokounmpo is most likely the MVP this season and recently was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year Award, but he looks as if he doesn’t have enough help on the court. While he hasn’t been at his absolute best in the second round so far, he clearly needs another star to help him out in clutch moments.
Chris Paul of the Oklahoma City Thunder put forth a fantastic performance during all seven games against the Houston Rockets in the First Round. He once again solidified himself as one of the greatest point guards to have ever played and also the most clutch point guard in the league. If the Milwaukee Bucks had Chris Paul on the team, their late-game situations would go completely different. Here is a potential trade package for Chris Paul and why they should make a move for the Hall of Fame playmaker.
Trade Package: Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, Ersan Ilyasova, Donte DiVincenzo, and multiple Future First-Round Picks for Chris Paul
Keep Giannis Happy In Milwaukee
The Milwaukee Bucks absolutely have to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy. With the current squad around him, there are some legitimate doubts that he will not be able to lead the Bucks over the Miami Heat. Even if he does, his supporting past has not given him confidence that the Bucks can defeat the likes of the Lakers or Clippers in the NBA Finals either.
Perhaps trading for the legendary point guard would give him confidence that Milwaukee is dedicated to winning. Eric Bledsoe is a great defensive point guard and a bonafide starter in the NBA, but he is nowhere near the level of Chris Paul. CP3 will most likely finish in the top five in MVP voting this year, and his production during the playoffs has been more than impressive.
Paul averaged 21.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 5.3 APG, and 1.6 SPG on 49.1% shooting during the first round of the playoffs, along with being the oldest player in history to record a triple-double in the postseason. To do this as a point guard means he still has the game of a superstar point guard, and he would be an absolute upgrade over Bledsoe who is averaging 12.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 5.8 APG, and 1.2 SPG in the playoffs while only shooting 43.8% from the field.
Clutch Performer
It might sound cliche but having a player who comes through in the clutch is absolutely essential to winning an NBA title. Right now, the Bucks don’t have that guy. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a great two-way player and a certain superstar in the league, but he cannot shoot the ball very well and his struggles at the free-throw line are well documented. Having your best player struggle at the free-throw line It’s not the recipe for winning a title.
Chris Paul will immediately become the player with the ball in his hands in critical moments. He’s still one of the best playmakers in the NBA and his decision making is truly top-notch. Paul can take the shots, make the passes, and draw the fouls to ice the game at the free-throw line. This relieves a ton of pressure off of Giannis Antetokounmpo, who can focus on dominating the game inside the paint and on the boards. Make no mistake about it, Chris Paul is one of the most clutch players in NBA history and he would add a completely different competitor that the Bucks sorely need.
A Winning Culture
The third reason why the Milwaukee Bucks should add Chris Paul to their team is to continue to uphold a winning culture. Everywhere Chris Paul has been in his career, the team has immediately begun building a championship culture. Paul was the leader who carried the New Orleans Hornets team, then eventually made the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets title contenders. He also almost led the Oklahoma City Thunder past the heavily favored Houston Rockets in the first round, clearly proving that his leadership and skill are one of a kind.
By adding Chris Paul, the Milwaukee Bucks will have a template of championship players going forward. Potential free agents will respect their winning tradition and so will other staff members. The Bucks have a superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo, a great coach in Mike Budenholzer, and adding Chris Paul adds a third piece to building championship pedigree. For their immediate championship contention and also for their future, acquiring Chris Paul to play out his final years in Milwaukee will greatly boost the image and standing of the Bucks franchise across the NBA and the sports world.
Chris Paul is the best leader in the NBA, and all the players and coaches respect him greatly. He is also a massive fan-favorite and one of the most legendary superstars over the past decade, so his addition will greatly benefit the Milwaukee Bucks franchise.
Next
5 All-Stars The Minnesota Timberwolves Can Land For The 1st Overall Pick
NBA Rumors: 7 Blockbuster Trades That Could Happen With The Top Picks
7 Superstars The Golden State Warriors Can Land For The No. 2 Pick On NBA Draft Night
