Milwaukee Bucks: Analyzing Chris Paul as a realistic trade target

How could the Milwaukee Bucks acquire Chris Paul?

Of course, the Milwaukee Bucks would have to sacrifice a package of a variety of assets in order to acquire Chris Paul from the OKC Thunder, and it won’t be easy. Thunder general manager Sam Presti should be requesting future assets in any deal for their superstar, and will likely be willing to take on salary fillers, preferably on expiring deals, as the franchise moves toward rebuilding.

The Bucks have a diverse set of young/future assets headlined by promising 23-year-old guard Donte DiVincenzo, followed by 24-year-old forward D.J. Wilson and a whole supply of draft capital that could intrigue the Thunder. If Milwaukee wants to land Paul from OKC, they would likely have to incentivize them with a chunk of their future value.

It could turn out to be a bidding war for CP3’s services with other destinations like New York and Philadelphia expected to show genuine interest, so if Milwaukee truly feels the need to aggressively pursue him, they would likely have to outbid everyone else by sacrificing a generous portion of their future assets.

Despite the risk involved with trading for Chris Paul, especially the financial implications, the Bucks should understand the extent of the individual value that he spreads to a basketball team. As a result, depending on if their level of urgency or interest grows higher, they could offer a package that includes any type of combination of Bledsoe, DiVincenzo, Wilson, draft picks, and salary fillers such as Ersan Ilyasova, Robin Lopez ($5.0 million player option), or even George Hill in any potential deal for Chris Paul.

It would have to be a massive haul for just one player, but that one player could easily be worth the price if it means winning an NBA championship, and the Bucks may pull the trigger if they believe giving up part of their future and spending into the tax gives them a much greater chance at winning it all along with other benefits, including Giannis extending his contract long-term.

Although, at this point, it seems that Milwaukee either doesn’t believe that Paul is worth the hefty price or that there’s better opportunities on the table to improve the roster effectively and financially. There’s many situational factors at stake for the Milwaukee Bucks with regard to a blockbuster trade for CP3, which is probably a significant reason why the Bucks haven’t progressed discussions with OKC.

It’s an interesting situation that will continue to attract eyeballs this offseason as the Bucks encounter some crucial decisions to make. They do have other cheaper options, but it’s tough to pass up the idea of adding someone like Chris Paul to their championship-contending team.

Nevertheless, acquiring Paul would become a very complicated scenario. There’s also no guarantee that Presti and the Thunder are intrigued by Milwaukee’s future assets or whether they’re willing to absorb Bledsoe’s remaining three-year, $54.2 million contract to their books. Perhaps a third team could enter the equation if serious talks between Milwaukee and OKC began to occur, but there’s just an uncomfortable amount of commitment hovering over a Chris Paul trade to the Bucks.

It doesn’t seem like Paul is the most realistic trade target for the Bucks as of now, but don’t count out the possibility as the trade window looms closer. It’s going to be an eventful NBA offseason, and the Milwaukee Bucks could be the center of attention, especially if their links with Chris Paul heat up.