Pointless Trade Idea

Bucks get Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic, #5 pick; Wolves get John Henson, #36 pick

The Wolves are apparently eager to part ways with Rubio as long as someone takes Pekovic with him (which is the player they're really eager to move on from). Obviously they'd rather deal them both without giving up #5 but by including that pick, they'll get something back and save a ton of money. Henson is a criminally underappreciated player on a favorable contract (4yrs/$45m) who gives them a nice veteran presence off the bench (assuming they start Garnett again this season). Also he becomes insurance for Adrien Payne (great depth if he develops, a fungible commodity if he doesn't). At #36 they've got a shot at a PG (perhaps Demtrius Jackson, Micheal Gbinje or Tyler Ulis (whom Towns recently said is the best PG he's ever played with)) or any bit of depth really because by giving up Rubio and Pekovic, they'll have a ton of money to lure Mike Conley to be their new PG.

The Bucks get themselves a 2nd top ten pick (I'd recommend Dragan Bender if he's still there), a veteran PG (MCW becomes more attractive as a 2nd string PG) and a big man who gives them a better chance to move on from Greg Monroe. Rubio is a non-scoring ballhandling option to Antetokounpo, Pekovic comes off the bench for Monroe (off whoever they get to replace Monroe) and #5 gives them...welll, whatever they get. Their starting five becomes PG Rubio, SG Middleton, SF Antetokounpo, PF Parker, C Monroe with MCW, Ennis, #5 (Bender?), #10 (Deyonta Davis?), Vaughn, Pekovic off the bench. They'll be taking back a lot of salary but Rubio is worth it and Pekovic's deal gets less onerous each year.

For the Bucks its a good mix of youth and vets (admittedly with health concerns) that gives them room to make more moves throughout the summer. For the Wolves they move on from their worst contract and a PG they're probably ready to move on from; they'll be giving up their top pick but taking back a lot less salary giving them a ton of money to lure free agents.