SPORTS LINE
As the trade deadline looms on February 6th, the Milwaukee Bucks are eyeing upgrades to their rotation to solidify their championship aspirations.
While there’s still time for the Bucks to finalize their strategy The Milwaukee Bucks could be one of the more active teams as we approach the 2025 NBA trade deadline. The Bucks have played better basketball lately, but to truly be considered one of the ” title contenders,” the Bucks may need to make a move or two. When the basketball isn’t in the hands of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard or Khris Middleton, it’s clear that the Bucks have a problem with facilitating. Rarely anyone else can create a shot for their teammates, which is one reason Milwaukee’s bench ranks 25th in assists per game this season.
They could certainly use a player capable of taking playmaking pressure off of the top stars. One option just surfaced via the G-League, as the Wisconsin Herd, Milwaukee’s affiliate, added Dennis Smith Jr. The former lottery pick is coming off a season in which he was a strong backup facilitator and an even better perimeter defender. The Bucks could use both of those things. The Bucks are one move away from being a true contender for the championship, and they could look at bringing one of Damian Lillard’s former teammates into the squad to put them over the top. The Bucks have the highest odds of landing CJ McCollum, the star guard from the New Orleans Pelicans and former teammate of Lillard with the Portland Trail Blazers. McCollum is a veteran guard who wants to be part of a contender, and the Bucks could be just that with him on the team. This season, McCollum is one of the only bright spots for the Pelicans, averaging 21.1 points per game, 3.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 44 percent from the field and 33 percent from three in 14 games and 33.3 minutes. The Bucks are a move or two away from competing with the Boston Celtics for the title this year. However, the Bucks may be a longshot to acquire a piece that could help them do just that.
The Green Bay Packers know they’re headed to the playoffs, and they know they’ll open the postseason on the road as a wild-card team.
After his signing with Green Bay in March, McKinney and his family sat down for dinner with Head Coach Matt LaFleur, new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, fellow free-agent signee Josh Jacobs, and a collection of Packers coaches at Lodge Kohler, located across the street from his new NFL home. Seven interceptions and 11 wins later, McKinney recalled that dinner with fondness after a 34-0 shutout of the New Orleans Saints on Monday night, a victory that clinched the Packers their fifth playoff berth in LaFleur’s six seasons at the helm. The Packers currently sit at the No. 6 seed but can move up to the No. 5 seed under the following scenario: GB finishes 2-0 (at MIN, vs. CHI) or MIN finishes 0-2 (vs. GB, at DET). The NFL’s youngest team for the second straight year, the Packers took a clear mind and fresh approach into the 2024 season. The growth has been obvious in a team whose only losses this year have come to the three other NFC teams that have already clinched playoff berths: Philadelphia, Detroit (twice), and Minnesota.
