NBA Trade Rumors 2014: Milwaukee Bucks Could Move Larry Sanders, O.J. Mayo, Caron Butler Before Deadline
- Paul John Rivera
- Jan 21, 2014 03:45 PM EST
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The Milwaukee Bucks are on pace to finish with the worst regular-season record this year, and with no playoff chances in sight, the team will reportedly become sellers before the trade deadline in February.
According to HoopsRumors, citing an insider-only ESPN article, Bucks team owner Herb Kohl have given the green light to move their tradeable assets in the coming weeks.
Sources said that the team is already looking past this season, and are setting their sights on the upcoming 2014 NBA Draft, which is expected to have one of the most talented batch of prospects in recent years.
Fox Sports reported that Kohl and his executives are high on potential franchise players that could be available in this year's draft. Oklahoma State star Marcus Smart is allegedly their top option in the draft, which could also include intriguing prospects like Andrew Wiggins and Joel Embiid of Kansas, and Jabari Parker of Duke.
The Bucks, whose 7-33 card is the worst record in the league at this point, are reportedly willing to let go of starting center Larry Sanders before the deadline in February. But they will only part ways with the defensive-minded center if they can get a high-value pick in return.
Aside from Sanders, the Bucks could also deal shooting guard O.J Mayo in the coming weeks. The 26-year-old forward, who signed a three-year deal worth $24 million last summer, is growing unhappy in Milwaukee.
In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mayo expressed frustration over the unclear direction the team is heading into, saying that changes are needed to make the team better.
Sources said that it will not be surprising if the former South Carolina standout demands a trade anytime soon.
"It's the same thing it's been night in and night out. It's been the same result, whatever the game plan has been. It's hard to get a rhythm when you don't know what's going to happen for you night in and night out," Mayo lamented.
Caron Butler is also one of the players that could be traded by the Bucks before the deadline.
The 33-year-old veteran also aired his frustrations over his role and lack of playing time with the Bucks this season. Butler recently told the Journal Sentinel that he thought he would get a lot of playing time, as promised by the team when they traded for him during the offseason.
Butler is expected to get a lot of interest from title-contending teams who will need veteran help in time for the playoffs, as well as teams who will look to dump salary after the season.
Butler, who is averaging 10.0 points and 4.8 rebounds this season, is playing in the final year of his contract.
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