Jimmy Butler has returned to the basketball court, but the Milwaukee Bucks have reportedly receded from the running to land him at the trade deadline as the Phoenix Suns exert an ever-greater recruiting monopoly for Jimmy Buckets (good luck with him, Phoenix). That fact hasn’t stopped itchy fans and writers from concocting other mega moves for Milwaukee.
It is, admittedly, a tempting if frivolous pastime. Formerly ESPN and New York Times writer Marc Stein presented one of his own, rehashing the once-popular idea–fun to entertain, musingly, back in December– involving the second-hottest potato in the luxury market: the Suns’ own Bradley Beal.
Before Bucks fans go running for barf buckets, this isn’t Shams Charania reporting. There is no updated news on interest from either side. It’s only hypothetical–and most Milwaukee faithful are categorically opposed.
Milwaukee Bucks Fans Say Nay
Here is a snippet from Stein’s article.
Marc Stein on the Bucks and Jimmy Butler:
“The Bucks, to this point, have been more frequently painted as a team likely to rekindle their previous interest in Phoenix’s Bradley Beal if they intend to pursue a trade for a player in the $50 million range.”
— Dalton Sell (@sell_dalton) January 19, 2025
The statement implies that it is more likely Milwaukee brings in Beal than Butler. This doesn’t mean either move will happen, as reports of mutual interest–or whispers of it– have died down of late.
Part of that is Milwaukee’s improved play, as the team has won 7 of 8 and seemed to find their footing. The energy on the floor is visibly better and far more consistent. Trade candidate Khris Middleton has played well off the bench and fit smoothly into his new role, quieting alarm bells that he must be upgraded.
Acquiring Beal would likely mean trading either Middleton or Brook Lopez, and perhaps Bobby Portis.
On the season, now coming off the Phoenix bench, Beal is averaging 17.5 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 3.3 APG (48.5 FG%). Butler is more efficient but producing at similar volume: 17.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.7 APG (54.3 FG%).
Never mind the numbers, Bucks fans just don’t want to see Beal’s face in the Fiserv Forum.
What is the bucks obsession with Beal? Keep him away from my team.
— Jay (@Afrikanfreak1) January 19, 2025
yea the entire fan base need to boycott if they trade for bradley beal
— 😭 (@mikejiggy56) January 19, 2025
if the bucks trade for beal i’m done
— ASHAR AKUMPO (@Funaplant01) January 19, 2025
No thanks. Jimmy Butler or no one.
— Mark Thomas (@techsportsmark) January 19, 2025
Is Either Beal or Butler a Realistic Option?
While a few fans were intrigued, and one commenter preferred Beal to Butler due to “fit” and age (31 vs 35), the vast majority rose up in arms.
For his part, Beal would still have to waive his no-trade clause. As far as Butler goes, he has no plans on coming to Milwaukee, per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on speaking on the Hoop Collective Podcast:
Jimmy’s number one focus is getting traded preferably to the Phoenix Suns. Everything else is secondary. Not getting traded to team X, not getting traded to team Y. Getting traded to the Phoenix Suns. And so anything that you want to bring, that’s rational, if it doesn’t mean getting traded to the Suns, Jimmy isn’t going to be interested in it right now.
The Bucks could target someone like Malcolm Brogdon or RJ Barrett, just to name names, but at the moment, there isn’t much to indicate that they are thickly involved in the $50 million sector of options.
If Middleton builds on his production and the team gets nightly contributions from role players like Lopez, Portis, Taurean Prince, AJ Green, and Gary Trent Jr., maybe this team doesn’t need to make a splash after all. It will take extended success–not just an 8 game stretch–to make that statement convincing, but it is at least a notion whereas three weeks ago they looked uninspired and in desperate need of help.
While their oft-cited 0-8 mark against Cleveland, Boston and New York remains concerning, they have started beating up the teams they are supposed to–the Raptors, the Kings, the depleted 76ers. All depends on whether Giannis and Damian Lillard stay healthy, but lately the Bucks have played like a complete team.
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