Bucks net Bledsoe

Next year, the small-market Bucks will face a dilemma; they would like to stay outside of luxury-tax territory, but their latest move coupled with Jabari Parker’s impending foray in free agency figures to put them over the cap. First things first, though,

It’s easy to see why the Bucks pulled the trigger on the deal that nets them Eric Bledsoe. Prior to agreeing to terms with the Suns, they had been on the losing end of the scores in four of their last five games. Notwithstanding the stellar play of Giannis Antetokounmpo, they suffered from predictability and lack of consistency, leading their front office and brain trust to add the notable two-way talent. For their cause, it helped, to be sure, that the target of their negotiations was being shopped aggressively, hence his lower price tag.

No doubt, the Suns’ poor bargaining position gave the Bucks the impetus to play hard ball. For all the contributions of slotman Greg Monroe, adding him to two protected draft picks for Bledsoe was a no- brainer. While they had assets with long- term deals that they would have loved to let go of, they succeeded in keeping Malcolm Brogdon off-limits, never mind the significant pushback to include the 2016- 2017 Rookie of the Year in the trade.

Considering Bledsoe’s worth on both ends of the court, his acquisition should augur well for the Bucks, and fast. They certainly hope he hits the ground running; they lost once more yesterday, and look to arrest their slide on the road against the Spurs in his first game in a Bucks uniform this weekend. In any case, he should be a boon for Antetokounmpo, whose burden as anchor on both offense and defense has to be eased if they plan to go deep in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Bledsoe will be spurred to put his best foot forward from here on. After having been banished from the Suns following his candid but ill- advised social media contribution regarding his desire to wear any uniform other than in orange and black, he wants to prove that he’s not locker- room poison, and that he can be as effective, if not more so, burning rubber for a postseason- bound squad. And not for nothing is coach Jason Kidd looking forward to seeing his new charge form a deadly pick- and- roll combine with Antetokounmpo.

Next year, the small-market Bucks will face a dilemma; they would like to stay outside of luxury-tax territory, but their latest move coupled with Jabari Parker’s impending foray in free agency figures to put them over the cap. First things first, though, and Bledsoe’s arrival should boost their position. Antetokounmpo

needed a partner, and he just got one.