Playoff-bound Bucks shocked at Knight trade, but ready to adjust
ST. FRANCIS, Wis. — The Milwaukee Bucks had just bussed back to their training facility from their open practice at Marquette University when they received quite the surprise.
Brandon Knight was with his teammates in the locker room of the Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin Training Center on Thursday when he received word he was traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of a three-team trade that brought Michael Carter-Williams, Tyler Ennis and Miles Plumlee to the Bucks.
"The first couple of minutes obviously were a shock," Bucks center Zaza Pachulia said after shootaround Friday. "We were just not expecting this. But we all realize it is a business, and we move forward.
"It was kind of silence in the beginning. All of us were looking at Brandon. He was sad. Obviously we couldn't act happy. There's something special going on this year with this team. It is really special, especially after the year we had last year. The chemistry was improving."
While the front office is looking at the bigger picture, the players are the members of the organization most heavily invested in this season.
The Bucks enter Friday as the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference, 7 1/2 games ahead of No. 7 Charlotte and No. 8 Miami. Milwaukee is in the playoffs by 8 1/2 games with 29 games to play.
There's a good chance the Bucks keep the sixth seed even without Knight, but making a trade this drastic definitely could mess with the vibe of the current team.
"That's very, very concerning," Bucks general manager John Hammond said. "It really is. If you think about what has happened to us thus far, it is all about the coaches doing a great job and the players playing hard, but it is also the fit of the team.
"We have a good chemistry. That is a concern, but the three players that we brought in are all extremely high character guys. I think they will fit in very well with this team."
Before the deadline, Bucks coach Jason Kidd shot down concerns a potential trade would drastically impact Milwaukee's nearly impeccable chemistry. He feels the leadership is too strong to allow a turn for the worse, something players echoed Friday.
"There will definitely be an adjustment period," Bucks forward Jared Dudley said. "That's just an honest answer. B-Knight was a focal point, so now it is even more by committee. Realistically it takes a couple of months for everybody to get adjusted to their roles. It took us a couple of months to hit our stride.
"That said, we have a nice little cushion with the six spot, so we have some wiggle room with that. We're not looking to take a step back, and we have a lot of good young pieces for the future."
Pachulia realizes Carter-Williams, Ennis and Plumlee will have to quickly adapt to their new surroundings both on and off the court for the Bucks to hit their stride come the playoffs.
Carter-Williams is expected to miss seven to 10 days with a sprained right toe, and a lot will be asked of the talented 23-year-old when he returns. He's suddenly going from one of the worst teams in the NBA to potentially being the starting point guard on a playoff team.
"There's not a lot of time," Pachulia said. "We only have 29 games left and the playoff picture is so bright. They have to help us as well by adjusting to this team as soon as possible. They have to concentrate to listen and learn, because there's not a lot of time. We need them. We need everybody."
Milwaukee could have stood pat, but the front office recognized the ceiling of this current team and made a move with the long-term health of the franchise in mind. It might be a tough pill for the current players but veterans like Dudley and Pachulia understand why the decision was made.
What also is understood is the importance of finishing the season strong and the experience the postseason will bring to the core of the roster.
"We're in a good spot to make the playoffs," Dudley said. "For us, this year is about developing our young talent. Now that we are in playoff position it is about getting experience. Getting Giannis and other guys in the playoffs, because there's such a different mindset in the playoffs. Every possession counts. You are zoned in on one team. You have to experience that."
Because he has played in Phoenix, Dudley spoke with Knight on Thursday. The fourth-year point guard wasn't expecting to be moved and was caught off guard when news of the trade broke.
"He was a little bummed," Dudley said. "He definitely was stunned. He was the face here, basically. Over there he's just a piece. But once you get off the initial trade — like when I was traded here. When you get here you buy in and go to work. By this summer time he will have a nice contract and will be fine.
"I told B-Knight that he's going to a great situation. They traded Isaiah (Thomas) and Goran (Dragic). He'll start at the two and play backup (point guard). They got rid of Goran because they didn't want to pay him a lot of money, so they'll pay (Knight). They are playing for the playoffs, great training staff, and I'm telling you, the living in Phoenix is the best thing you can have. It is so cheap and you can live like a king. I told him he'll have a five-bedroom house with a theater room and a pool. Don't feel sorry for Brandon Knight."
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