NBA: 5 Trade-Hungry Teams That Make Perfect Sense for Andrew Bogut

Don’t let the injury fool you, folks. Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut is being made available by General Manager John Hammond. The oft-injured seven-footer was having a decent season before hurting his ankle against the Houston Rockets on January 25th, averaging 11.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and two blocks per game.

Though he may not be able to play again this season, Bogut is still a good player to acquire for one reason: when he’s healthy, he’s a fine big man to have on your team. Sure enough, the Bucks have received multiple calls for his services as the deadline draws closer.

Here are five squads that would be a perfect fit for the Australian phenom.

5. Boston Celtics

Celtics GM Danny Ainge is willing to break up the Big Three; and looking at Boston’s roster, they need a natural center badly. That said, if the Celtics and Bucks could involve Bogut in a deal centered around someone like Ray Allen and maybe throw in Stephen Jackson, this is a trade that’s just crazy enough to happen.

Yet, it’s still very unlikely to happen as the Celtics will likely want to hold onto Allen for the postseason. Then again, we won’t know until the deadline is passed. Will the Celtics stand pat, or will the need for a center triumph over everything else?

4. Portland Trail Blazers

Like the Celtics, the Blazers need some help at center. Marcus Camby is good and has size at 6-feet-11, 235 pounds, but he’s also 37 years old and not as strong of a scorer as he used to be.

Bogut is a great fit for this team, as guys like LaMarcus Aldridge and Gerald Wallace could use some more versatile help on the inside. On top of that, if you think about it, Bogut is basically a younger version of Camby.

It may take time for a deal like this to come to be, but it’s still clear that Portland could be a good potential landing spot for Bogut.

3. Houston Rockets

According to Ken Berger of CBSsports.com, the Rockets were recently in discussions with the Bucks about acquiring Bogut’s services. The team already has a solid center in Samuel Dalembert, but he doesn’t provide much besides defense.

Bogut, on the other hand, is a decent scorer on the inside and, despite having a heavy contract worth $60 million signed back in 2008, the results speak for themselves when he’s healthy.

Though Houston may have backed off of him, don’t be surprised if they give the Bucks another call in the coming days.

2. Washington Wizards

The Wizards have a talented young center in seven-footer Javale McGee, but he’s proven to be something of an airhead this year. He has also become something of a showboater and that isn’t sitting well with the higher-ups.

Thus, why not trade him to Milwaukee for Bogut? Even if Bogut doesn’t play again this year, the Wizards still have a reliable man in Andray Blatche, who could move to center. Plus, Bogut is a veteran who may be able to finally bring some leadership to the young and inconsistent Wizards.

1. Golden State Warriors

For the past few seasons, the Golden State Warriors have been in desperate need of help at the five spot, following the complete and utter collapse of Andris Biedrins. Ekpe Udoh is a good option, as he has long arms that are perfect for shot-blocking; but that’s about it. With averages of 5.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks this year, it’s clear that the former No. 6 pick is turning into a bust.

Enter Bogut, a reliable target in the middle who could easily help take some of the burden off of Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry. His inside scoring abilities will make it easier for both guards to actually create plays and not so much chuck the ball up at the hoop possession after possession.

No matter how you look at it, this team is a great fit for the Aussie sensation.