NBA Trade Rumors: Milwaukee Bucks Looking To Trade Players In Order To Add Richard Jefferson

With the help of an NBA trade, Richard Jefferson signing the Milwaukee Bucks may wind up a done deal. The Milwaukee Bucks’ roster currently stands at 15, meaning they have to work the telephones in order to make an addition.

If Jefferson were to sign with the Bucks, the Bucks would find themselves compelled to trade away at least one player. The Milwaukee Bucks making a trade before attempting to add Richard Jefferson allows them to stay clear from the NBA’s luxury tax threshold. Also, a trade by the Bucks would keep their roster at 15 if they add Richard Jefferson to the mix.

There is mutual interest between Richard Jefferson and the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Bleacher Report. Many expect the Bucks to add Jefferson this Monday. The Bucks could conceivably make a trade, clearing up cap room anytime between now and Monday when Richard Jefferson clears waivers.

Last Friday, the Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to trade Richard Jefferson, Kay Felder, and two second-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks in a cost-cutting move (courtesy of Yahoo Sports). Once the Hawks made the trade for Jefferson, they immediately waived him, allowing him to become a free agent if he does clear waivers.

Richard Jefferson to the Milwaukee Bucks is viewed as an intelligent move for two reasons — familiarity and veteran leadership.

The ongoing admiration between Jefferson and the Milwaukee Bucks’ organization stems from the relationship the former Cleveland Cavaliers’ stalwart has with Bucks’ coach Jason Kidd. Jefferson and Kidd were teammates on the team formerly known as the New Jersey Nets. Together, Jefferson and Kidd went to the NBA Finals. They remain good friends this day.

Bucks are “serious contenders” to sign Richard Jefferson. (ESPN) RJ played 1 season w/ Bucks (08-09) & 7 seasons w/ Jason Kidd in New Jersey pic.twitter.com/JNSOdu9VmT

— Cream City Central (@CreamCityCtral) October 15, 2017

Members of the Nets’ front office from Richard Jefferson’s tenure are the decision-makers for the Milwaukee Bucks. Knowing what Jefferson can do, even at age 37, is alluring to the Bucks’ front office and coaching staff. Jefferson brings a championship pedigree and can mentor a young Milwaukee Bucks’ locker room with his presence.

Richard Jefferson would also add toughness and shooting to the Milwaukee Bucks. He is viewed as a plus-defensive player despite his best days being ahead of him. If the Milwaukee Bucks want to take the next leap forward in a wide open Eastern Conference, they need another perimeter defender.

Adding Jefferson would all but require the Milwaukee Bucks to trade someone. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Bucks are working the phones with NBA teams to find trade partners for both guard Rashad Vaughn and center John Henson.

A successful NBA trade of either Vaughn and Henson would allow the Bucks to sign Richard Jefferson and have some breathing room at the luxury tax figure. The Bucks are open to offering a second-round pick with Vaughn to any interested teams. Out of the two, Rashad Vaughn is the player the Milwaukee Bucks should be able to find a taker for without issue.

An NBA team looking to trade for Rashad Vaughn would receive a shooting guard who is still on his rookie contract. The Bucks know that Vaughn has potential. However, he is buried on their bench behind Tony Snell and Matthew Dellavadova. Vaughn’s cap-friendly contract makes him the best candidate for a trade by the Bucks.

NBA trade scenarios for John Henson are different.

The Milwaukee Bucks signed Henson to a contract extension, which began last season. Henson has three years remaining on the de-escalating deal, with over $31 million left. The Bucks would have to take on a bad contract in order to trade John Henson. The Bucks are up against the luxury tax number as they currently stand, with a little more than $1.5 million worth of wiggle room.

Potentially adding Richard Jefferson without making a trade puts the Milwaukee Bucks within $5,000 of the tax penalty. It also eliminates the Bucks’ ability to have any flexibility until a trade happens.

The Milwaukee Bucks are not the only team interested in signing Richard Jefferson. The Boston Celtics are rumored to be interested in adding Jefferson as well, according to 247 Sports.

Several "non-contending" teams interested in Richard Jefferson, would like to get him in before season. #Celtics another possibility. He wants to keep playing.

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) October 14, 2017

The Celtics are title contenders, having added Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward to the mix. Jefferson could catapult the Celtics ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Milwaukee Bucks hope to convince Richard Jefferson to join them. If Jefferson agrees, the Bucks will have to conduct an NBA trade in order to create a roster spot.

[Featured Image by Jason Miller/Getty Images]