How Corey Maggette Effects The Draft and Free Agency For The Bucks

Today's trade by Milwaukee Bucks GM John Hammond to add versatile wingman Corey Maggette for Charlie Bell and Dan Gadzuric, addressed one of the major holes in the roster. 

The acquisition solidifies a wing spot for the Bucks, and now makes the departure of John Salmons less painful, pending he opts out. Maggette can play the shooting guard, small and power forward spots.

The trade makes the choice, in Thursday night's draft, for the Bucks a lot easier. Lots of talk has the Bucks selecting Butler's star Gordon Hayward with the 15th overall pick. This would be a bad pick, because the Bucks have a player on the roster, with the player set of Hayward, in Ersan Ilyasova. 

The biggest hole in the roster that still needs to be addressed is the lack of another inside presence for the Bucks, lone big man Andrew Bogut will shoulder much of the minutes at center next season, unless the Bucks draft or sign a free agent big man.

The middle to late parts of the 1st round look like they hold a lot of role playing big men that the Bucks desperately need next season. Marshall center Hassan Whiteside, Kentucky's freshman big man Daniel Orton or Louisville sophomore center Samardo Samuels are options that look like will be on the board when the Bucks select 15th overall.

The Bucks also have three second round picks to select a big man, if Kansas wingman Xavier Henry is still on the board. Recently, during a Bucks rookie workout, Henry was quoted saying he would love to play with Bucks starting point guard Brandon Jennings.

Either way, the Bucks now have options to play around with come Thursday night. No matter the pick, the player the Bucks select in the first round will be a solid addition to the roster. The three second round picks the Bucks have will add young depth to the bench.

Overall, the addition of Maggette now gives the Bucks room to play with and adds a great player to a roster that needs a tough minded player. The off-season just got a lot easier for GM John Hammond with this great trade.