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Does Eric Bledsoe Make the Bucks Contenders?

Eric Bledsoe and the Phoenix Suns have finally parted ways, as the Suns sent the star point guard to the Milwaukee Bucks for Greg Monroe and a 1st-round draft pick.
Will pairing Bledsoe with MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo push the Bucks over the hump and near the top of the Eastern Conference?

Antetokounmpo has been nothing short of incredible this season, averaging 31.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.4 blocks per game this season. His rebounds are a career high, nearly averaging a double-double, as his field goal percentage, which is up to 58% after rising in each of his first five seasons.
However, despite Antetokounmpo's jaw-dropping performances, the Bucks are only 4-5 and sit 10th in the Eastern Conference through nine games.

Enter Eric Bledsoe.

The Bucks current starting guards, sophomore PG Malcolm Brogdon and SG Tony Snell, have actually been pretty solid this season. Brogdon is shooting 50% from the field and 46% from three point range, with Snell at 56% from the field and an impressive 51% from three.

Together, they average 6.8 assists. Bledsoe has averaged 6.2 assists per game over the last three seasons, and will likely orchestrate the Bucks offense moving forward. Bledsoe will have a lower field goal percentage than both guards, but he can score in many ways, creating shots or finishing at the basket.
By inserting Bledsoe, and subsequently moving Brogdon or Snell to the bench, the Bucks get deeper. This will help Milwaukee, having shooters come off the bench and taking some scoring pressure off the starters. And if Antetokounmpo and Bledsoe are both on the court, these shooters should find themselves open more often.

The Bucks do lose a big man in Greg Monroe, but it shouldn't be too detrimental to their front court. Antetokounmpo is aided by 20 year old Thon Maker, as well as John Henson and Mirza Teletovic off the bench. Monroe hasn't played in the Bucks last four games, but the team only won one of those matchups.

The Bucks will also get Jabari Parker back at some point in 2018, before the playoffs. Parker-Antetokounmpo-Bledsoe might be the NBA's next up and coming big three, with each capable of averaging 20.0+ PPG. 

This could be a scary team come playoff time, but how do they stack up against other contenders?

Talent-wise, I think we're now looking at a top four team in the East. Though they're only 4-5 so far, this roster should be able to beat the Raptors, 76ers, Magic, Pistons, and Pacers in the playoffs.

After that things get tighter. The Wizards would be similar in talent to the Bucks, if not slightly better. Bledsoe would really help leverage the Bucks defensive situation against John Wall. In a playoff series, it would be a long series where either team could advance.

Then, you have the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. I'm not worried about the Cavaliers, despite their struggles, they will be the best team in the East come playoff time (even if they don't have the best record.) I would take the Cavaliers in 5 or 6 in a potential playoff series.

As for the Boston, the Bucks would have a fighting chance against the Celtics. But Boston, the best team in the NBA so far, is slightly deeper and more talented, even without Gordon Hayward. Al Horford and Marcus Morris would do their best to contain Antetokounmpo, leaving some potential scoring for Bledsoe and Parker. But at the end of the day, the Celtics would win in 6 or 7 games as the teams are currently constructed.

Last season was the Bucks only winning record (42-40) since 2010. They haven't won a playoff series since 2001. With the addition of Bledsoe, they still won't beat the Cavaliers or Celtics, but will have one of their best seasons in nearly two decades this year.

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