SPORTS LINE
The Milwaukee Bucks.
For years they have used the NBA Trade Deadline as a pathway to make a move for a role player they believe could help this team. This year is one of the toughest for the team as they decide if they should move on from one of their franchise’s cornerstones before the deadline passes. It’s been a tough season for Khris Middleton, who missed time due to duel ankle surgeries and has now been moved to a role off the bench due to ankle tendinitis. Recently, the team announced he would be benched in an attempt to rid their longtime 3-and-D wing of his lingering tendinitis. Because of their inability to rely on the three-time All-Star, the front office could look to upgrade their rotation in preparation for an extended playoff run. Additionally, Middleton’s $31.6 million contract can be moved for a relatively significant talent. The Milwaukee Bucks could very well stick to their recent formula and make a move for a role player who can patch a roster flaw.
Given their recent play, that might not be the worst idea. However, it all depends on how they feel about Khris Middleton and whether they can rely on him after a barrage of injuries over the past several NBA seasons. Middleton is averaging 12.3 points in only 13 appearances this season, which is his lowest mark since his second year in the league in 2013. However, his shooting doesn’t appear hindered, as he is shooting 38.5 percent from three on 4.0 attempts per game. For the time being, Middleton still has a few weeks to showcase his value and get back into a groove, which could silence this trade talk for good. It will be fascinating to see what this roster looks like when the deadline horn sounds on February 6.m.
Packers.
The Green Bay Packers fell short of their goal once again. Green Bay’s loss to Philadelphia was another piece of evidence that the Packers are too young and undisciplined and still a few pieces away from being a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The Packers are not Super Bowl champions but did improve from their 2023 season, which saw them go 9-8 before bowing out in the second round of the NFC playoffs. They won 11 games, and three of those came with Jordan Love missing at least a significant portion of the game. There is promise for this young team as long as improvements are made before next season. The Green Bay Packers, Jordan Love at least believes his team isn’t heading in the wrong direction after being eliminated in the wild-card round against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
For the Packers to get back into the Super Bowl, they need improvements on both sides of the ball. Their defense was much improved under Jeff Hafley, who will return for his second season as defensive coordinator in 2025. The Packers will have to overhaul some position groups in the upcoming offseason, but there is a nucleus on the roster that can push this team to the next level. But, for the first time in a long while, Green Bay can enter the next season counting on a reliable run defense. There’s more to be desired with the group when it comes to run blocking, but the Packers seemed to have built a solid protection unit for Love for years to come.
