All eyes are on the Milwaukee Bucks as NBA fans and even teams watch to see how they will respond to a poor start to the season. They are just 2-7 to start the 2024-25 season, with a tough schedule and an aging roster making them look worse than expected.
That has led to questions about the future of Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose recent comments raised eyebrows. At the moment, he isn't available in trade talks but teams are no doubt hoping that will soon change.
"I don't think help is on the way through the trade market. ... They called pretty much the whole league." 😳 @WindhorstESPN on what the 2-6 Bucks are doing behind the scenes to improve their team 👀 pic.twitter.com/2YuavjEsRI
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 8, 2024
In the meantime, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst, the Bucks are kicking the tires on making another deal to try and improve their roster around Giannis. That will be hard to do with them giving up most of their assets to acquire Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans, and then even more to flip him for Damian Lillard.
With few assets and even matching salary, they may have to trade rotation players such as Bobby Portis Jr, Brook Lopez, Pat Connaughton, Khris Middleton, or MarJon Beauchamp.
NBA Rumors: Can the Milwaukee Bucks improve their roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo via trade?
Players such as Lopez and Portis Jr. are the Bucks' best chance to get some value back in a deal. Of course, they would be losing their starting center and their sixth man in a deal and it's questionable whether they can actually get better doing so.
Factor in that they only have a handful of picks and are severely limited in the selections they can trade due to the Stephien rule as well as them being in the second apron and they have few options. They could use a lightly protected 2031 pick swap along with Connaughton and Portis Jr. to try and acquire an impact player that will help them.
The Milwaukee Bucks are eyeing a trade, per @WindhorstESPN
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 8, 2024
“The speculation is true. The Bucks are indeed starting to canvas the league for a trade, league executives told ESPN. But no, not that trade. The concept of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmporeaching the trade market… pic.twitter.com/qcy3Sk7r62
Making a big trade could be a double-edged sword for the Milwaukee Bucks
On the flip side, the Bucks trading a far-out first to try and prop their title window open could be a huge mistake.
However, they can't afford to stand pat either with Giannis seemingly putting pressure on the franchise to make moves to stay relevant. Other teams such as the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks clearly better.
The Philadelphia 76ers are also potentially better if healthy, so the Bucks are chasing those teams but it seems like a recipe for disaster. Especially, if Giannis ends up asking out anyway. Players unexpectedly become available all of the time so the Bucks should be patient and, who knows, they might even be able to right the ship without a major trade.