Bucks Trade rumors Roundup: Marc Gasol to Milwaukee, Bye Bye Tony Snell, and More

With the NBA season now well ahead of the halfway mark, the Bucks look solid as ever. With a league-best 34-12(0.739) record currently, they are set to make a strong playoff push and are potential contenders to win it all in the East this year.

With everything going right for Coach Mike Budenholzer and his team, there are a few minor glitches that can be taken care of before the trade deadline in order to give the finishing touches for a successful postseason run. The team looks set to take on any opposition across the league and give them a run for their money, but as is widely known, the playoffs are a whole different ball game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has strived through the grind on his way to becoming a proven megastar this year. With Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, Malcolm Brogdon, and Brook Lopez looking sharp to the core in their support role to the Greek Freak, Milwaukee's odds to make it big this year are higher than they have ever been.

Let's skim through some of the roster shuffles that might be on the cards owing to a bunch of trade rumors.

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#1 Marc Gasol's professionalism is a must-get if the young Bucks are willing to go all out

Marc Gasol is playing his 11th season in Memphis this year.

Marc Gasol has been trying to conjure a 'rags to riches' story in Memphis for almost 11 years now, and it just won't happen.

His name keeps coming up in trade echoes every now and then, and it makes one wonder if this would be the year when Marc finally leaves Memphis for good. From the East-leading Bucks' point of view, this would be their "go all out" deal as the Grizzlies front office won't let their franchise cornerstone go for cheap.

Milwaukee is a team that runs on youth and in order to land a veteran like Gasol, they will have to formulate an enticing package of promising youngsters, but we can all agree that it will be worth it.

Gasol's compelling presence on both ends of the floor coupled with his professionalism and unflinching demeanor under pressure is all Milwaukee need to complete the puzzle. The Spaniard is averaging 15.2 points and 8.5 rebounds on 43% shooting from the floor. With his 24$ million contract about to expire, this might be an expensive but situational addition to the resilient young core down in Milwaukee.

#2 Tony Snell among others might be shipped for a legit playoff push

Bucks received Tony Snell from the Bulls via trade back in October 2016.

With the addition of Eric Bledsoe - who has really transformed into the perfect sidekick to Giannis, Tony Snell's playing minutes per game have been decreased from 27 last year to 17 this year, having started just 4 games thus far in the season. Also, the realization of Malcolm Brogdon's excellence on the floor elevated him to the starting lineup, which added to Snell's decreased usage rate, and retired him to a predominant bench role.

Thon Maker and Jason Smith are two more examples of Bucks players that - in the present scheme of things - might be a better fit for other teams who are looking to add value and depth to their roster without shelling out too much cash.

But there lies a probability that the Milwaukee front office might hold on to Maker for a while before they are clear on Center Brook Lopez' commitment regarding the future. However, Jason Smith seems more likely to be traded considering he is just simply a surplus commodity on the Bucks' plate.

With a strong starting 2-guard prospect in Snell who has been largely restricted to a bench role, teams would be on the lookout(and whatever the Bucks can accompany with him) for the talent he brings to the table in a not-so-outrageous salary range.

#3 Dwight Howard might just be the apt deadline steal

Dwight Howard underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy(back surgery) back on Nov. 30.

Costing just $5.6 million and still able to give you 12.8 points and 9.3 rebounds on an average(that is, after his return in February probably), Howard can be someone the Bucks can make a stretch for. He is doubtful to be back in action before February but looking at the way the Bucks are rolling, they seem to be in no hurry whatsoever.

For a man who averages a couple of blocks across his career, Dwight can be the defensive uplift for the surging Bucks side. The Wizards are without Wall for the rest of the season, and not many expect them to make a splash from this point on.

As free agency waits for Howard this offseason, it would benefit Washington in more ways than they can imagine to bag a player and a future pick until the status quo prevails.