Bucks, 76ers' Updated Starting Lineups, Rotations After Patrick Beverley Trade
The Milwaukee Bucks made their blockbuster trade in the offseason, but that didn't stop them from fine-tuning their squad ahead of Thursday's deadline.
Veteran guard Patrick Beverley is on his way to Milwaukee. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Philadelphia 76ers are getting back Cameron Payne and a 2027 second-round pick.
The Bucks and Sixers' rotation obviously won't look much different with Beverley taking the place of Payne and vice versa. Philly did shake things up by acquiring Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers for Marcus Morris, Furkan Korkmaz and three second-rounders, per Wojnarowski.
According to Wojnarowski, Milwaukee also traded Robin Lopez to the Sacramento Kings. Lopez is reportedly expected to be waived.
Milwaukee Bucks Depth Chart
- Point Guard: Damian Lillard, Patrick Beverley, AJ Green, Andre Jackson Jr.ย
- Shooting Guard: Malik Beasley, Pat Connaughton, Khris Middletonย
- Small Forward: Khris Middleton, Jae Crowder, Andre Jackson Jr.ย
- Power Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bobby Portis, Jae Crowderย
- Center: Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis
Philadelphia 76ers Depth Chart
- Point Guard: Tyrese Maxey, Cameron Payne, Terquavion Smithย
- Shooting Guard: De'Anthony Melton, Jaden Springer, Kelly Oubre Jr.ย
- Small Forward: Buddy Hield, Kelly Oubre Jr., Robert Covingtonย
- Power Forward: Tobias Harris, Nicolas Batum, KJ Martinย
- Center: Joel Embiid, Paul Reed, Mo Bamba
Beverley averaged 6.3 points, 3.1 assists and 0.5 steals in 19.6 minutes per game with the Sixers in the first half of the season.
The 35-year-old brings a little more playoff experience to the table than Payne, and the Bucks might believe he can help shake them out of their current funk. Last season, he was the catalyst for the Chicago Bulls' turnaround, albeit one that still fell short of advancing to the playoffs.
Beverley's existing rapport with head coach Doc Rivers was probably a consideration behind this trade as well.
On the other side, Joel Embiid's meniscus injury creates a large void in the frontcourt. That didn't stop Philly from focusing on shooting at the deadline.
The Sixers are 19th in three-point percentage (36.2) and 27th in makes (11.4 per game). Hield remains an effective long-range threat, hitting 38.4 percent of his opportunities this year, while Payne (39.7 percent) is a major upgrade over Beverley in that respect.
Still, Beverley brought more to the table than what the box score shows, and this is a time when Philadelphia needs veteran leadership the most.
Teams will playoff aspirations are always busy after the deadline passes. The buyout market might provide the Sixers with the opportunity to shore up the roster.
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