What is on the table for the Bucks at this season’s trade deadline?
Can the Milwaukee Bucks make a game-changing move before the NBA trade deadline? With the clock ticking, the Bucks are exploring potential trades to bolster their roster for a championship run. Key players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are at the center of discussions, as hosts Justin Garcia and Camille Davis analyze the team’s needs and available assets. They explore intriguing trade targets such as Robert Williams and Brandon Ingram, while considering the impact of recent injuries and salary cap constraints. The possibility of acquiring Jimmy Butler adds another layer of excitement to the conversation.
Join the discussion to uncover how the Bucks might navigate these challenges and seize opportunities for success.
5:27 Trade deadline priorities
16:48 Potential trade targets: John Collins and Collin Sexton
30:43 Debating Khris Middleton’s future with Bucks
37:06 Getting under second apron is crucial
42:18 Jimmy Butler trade speculation
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20 Comments
The Bucks need consistent outside shooting when Giannis kicks it out when he's being double or triple teamed. They need someone who can get buckets in crucial times of the game. I don't think they have that on a consistent basis. They will need that to beat the better teams.
Would you do Marjon for Reath followed by Khris Pat and Bobby for Lavine, Craig, and Horton Tucker. Attach whatever picks to make them happen. I’m almost certain the numbers work and it gets us under the second apron but would still need to open a spot for Rollins
Cam Johnson!! My idea is..
Bucks Get:
– Cam Johnson
Nets Get:
– Bobby
– Pat C
– AJ Johnson
– Marjon
– 2031 1st
– 2031 2nd
The trade I want to see the Bucks pursue:
MIL & TOR (or a multi-team combo focused around this exchange for the Bucks)
TOR:
Out – Kelly Olynyk & Garrett Temple
In – Bobby Portis & Pat Connaughton
MIL:
Out – Bobby Portis & Pat Connaughton
In – Kelly Olynyk & Garrett Temple
Would this deal even require attaching the Bucks’ ‘31 2nd Round pick?
It can be argued that TOR (or another in a multi-team deal) is landing the best player in Bobby within this particular exchange, so maybe they don’t mind taking on Pat’s salary without demanding a draft asset from the Bucks in return. If it’s needed, then add it, but maybe that’s why the Bucks seek a 3rd team who’s willing to give TOR a draft asset for Bobby.
With this deal the Bucks get under the 2nd apron which is a key goal. They should then waive/buyout Temple, sign Rollins to the 15-man roster, and look to make a separate trade with MarJon for added bench insurance depth in the frontcourt or at wing by seeking a roster bubble guy who could fill-in in an emergency or fulfill a small niche role for this team; maybe a guy like:
Kai Jones
Daniel Theis
*Orlando Robinson
Karlo Matkovic
Oscar Tshiebwe
Tristan Vukcevic
Colin Castleton
Isaac Jones
Christian Koloko
* Orlando is currently on a 10-day contract with TOR.
In an ideal world, the Bucks could pull off the deal with TOR without including the ‘31 2nd and instead pair that pick with MarJon to nab Duop Reath or Charles Bassey or Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
After swinging the main deal the Bucks would be hard-capped at the 2nd apron with just $610k of space. That’s all the room they'd have to sign Rollins to a prorated standard contract, unless they can clear more salary in another transaction like the MarJon deal. Rollins has just 16 games left on his Two-Way deal. Waiving Temple likely doesn’t get the team out of his cap hit.
If Rollins dresses for every game between now and 2/27, he'll have reached his Two-Way limit. If the Bucks sign him to a standard deal the next day, it’ll be worth $516k and just slides them in beneath the 2nd apron. Without a MarJon deal that creates more space the Bucks could not sign him before 2/21. Just some information to note.
Now, I’d also like to see the starting lineup adjusted slightly.
Starters:
PG: Dame
SG: Green or Gary
SF: Prince
PF: Giannis
C: Brook
6th Man:
F – Khris
Bench Depth:
PG – Johnson
G – Ryan
G – Delon
G/SF – Andre
SG/SF – Gary (or SG – Green)
F – Chris
PF – Tyler
C/PF – Kelly
F/C – ?
Top 8 Rotation:
Dame
Green
Prince
Giannis
Brook
Khris
Gary
Kelly
Unique Rotation Piece (9th):
Andre
10th Man:
Ryan
Notes:
Khris should be the team’s defacto 6th man who hopefully can begin to average 30+ minutes a game. He should also see a scoring bump too after jettisoning Bobby’s usage rate from the team.
Andre should become more of a direct substitution in place of Giannis when he comes off the court and as a matchup specialist if he does overlap with Giannis on the court instead of the default 5th starter who’s averaging ~17mins/game.
I view Kelly as an outright replacement for Brook in matchups that aren’t great for Brook and to be his primary backup to alleviate Giannis from having to play much Center; particularly, during the regular season. I can’t imagine Kelly doesn’t immediately provide a noticeable defensive upgrade (+ rim protection) over Bobby at Center and he’s a much better connective team facilitator too – aka less stagnant ISO offense.
Bucks then just need to use the second half of the season (post trade deadline) to build team chemistry and rapport with the new roster addition(s). Hopefully, everyone is healthy and all the proverbial gears are working as they should come the playoffs. With Giannis being arguably the best two-way player in the NBA and on a team that puts itself solidly into the top 10 in offense, defense, and net rating there’s certainly a decent shot at upsetting all the East championship favorites to reach the Finals even if it feels far-fetched given the poor record against those teams thus far.
Thoughts?
I honestly don’t believe the Bucks need to move Khris Middleton nor Brook in some blockbuster deal to improve; in fact, I believe a move like that comes with greater risks to regress.
I'm not in favor of doing it, but I think I'd only be interested in a Jimmy trade as a rental for this year, and would want to be sure he opts out of his option. This would in theory let the Bucks get off the Khris, Bobby, Pat contracts early and try to re-tool this offseason with a lot more flexibility.
First of All…Giannis have ONE problem…If GA Play 5?…3 Fouls in 10 Minutes…He Knows it…Every who Follow GA for Years KNOW this…Thats why he LOVES Brook because take away the Foul Problem…For the Bucks…1.Dame- 2. (?? Guard-Forward)- 3.Prince- 4.Giannis – 5.Brook….6.GaryTrent- 7.(??Quick Feet Center)- 8.Jackson – 9.AJ Green- 10.Rollins….OUT are (Middleton-Portis-Pat)….So You need Defender Center and Defender Guard-Forward
Camille, I dont care about Khris and Giannis' chemistry. I honestly think Giannis wanna get rid of Khris. Why wouldn't he? Khris has been missing games since 2022 and he's just hurting the Bucks. The sad truth is haters grill Giannis when the Bucks struggle but they have nothing to say about khris who has actually been one of the main reasons why the Bucks are trash. How is your 3rd player averaging 12 points?🤔.
This team as is won’t be enough…A move is needed
Happy birthday Justin 🎉
Happy birthday Justin!! 🎉
Bucks should not look to do anything major. I believe this team is capable of beating any team in a 7 game series AS CONSTRUCTED besides the Knicks–we can't seem to be competitive with them.
Anyway, get below the 2nd apron and wait till off season to make significant changes as needed. Don't mess with the fragile ecosystem.
Good take guys. First thing we should go after is that athletic big. All those other trades should be our last resort. Oh and happy birthday Justin! 💯
Thoughts on Larry Nance jr?
connaughton, middy, portis to portland for Rob Will, Jereami Grant, Duop reath
Long as we stay alway from butler and Beal I’m open on Lavine i just don’t wanna trade alway a lot for these guys. Grant is a no but as currently constructed im not sure we are a championship team. We won the IC title but the world championship I’m just not sure 🤔
Would love to get Paul reed
Happy Birthday! I bought you a chorizo breakfast burrito from downstairs 🌯
I ll try to get Miles Turner here and a backup point that can defend.
First question, are we going for a championship? If the answer is yes we need to make a move or we do nothing and hope for the best. 😊
Happy Birthday Justin!
happy bday to the legend, im in the small move to give rollins an aj green contract and open a buyout slot (can we do that over the 2nd?) health and time. if its not lavine i dont have any interest in the big names.