“Expected To Be Aggressive In Looking For Talent”: NBA Insider Creates Mock Trade That Would Have Milwaukee Bucks Acquiring Jimmy Butler From the Miami Heat

The Milwaukee Bucks will look to make some noise during the 2025 NBA trade deadline. Milwaukee has a chance to either be sellers or get some help for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.

The Bucks this season have a 20-17 record in the NBA and they are currently the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Some fans feel like they can’t contend this season and that they should trade away some parts on the roster for future pieces. One player who could potentially be on the Bucks’ radar before the deadline is Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler.

NBA Insider Bobby Marks Has the Milwaukee Bucks Acquiring Jimmy Butler From the Miami Heat In Latest Three-Team Mock Trade

ESPN’s NBA Insider Bobby Marks created his latest NBA mock trade between the Milwaukee Bucks, the Miami Heat, and the Detroit Pistons. He would have the Bucks acquiring Jimmy Butler. The Heat would acquire Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, Bobi Klintman, and a 2031 first-round pick (Milwaukee Bucks). The Detroit Pistons would acquire Pat Connaughton, a 2031 second-round pick, and a 2030 first-round swap rights (via Bucks or Trail Blazers).

This trade could potentially solve a lot of problems for the Bucks. Bobby Portis, Khris Middleton, and Pat Connaughton would all be gone from the roster in one trade. Jimmy Butler is an upgrade from those three players combined and Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo would have a reliable third option.

This is a start to fixing the Milwaukee Bucks roster, but there would be some other moves that would have to be made as well. General manager Jon Horst will have some decisions to make about his personnel before the 2025 NBA trade deadline.

Reasoning Behind It

Matt Levine of sportsillustrated.com said about the Bucks potentially making a move for Jimmy Butler or someone else before the NBA trade deadline this season:

“The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to be aggressive in looking for talent ahead of the NBA trade deadline in the coming weeks. Milwaukee has fought its way back toward a place of contention but they likely still need an extra push to become true title contenders.”

Levine also thinks that the trade that Marks created, he believes that getting the Miami Heat star would benefit the Bucks. He added:

“While normally, the Bucks wouldn’t be able to aggregate contracts due to the restrictions in the new CBA, Marks explains that they are allowed to do so here. In this deal, the Bucks would fall under the second apron so the restrictions would then be lifted to make a deal possible.

Offloading Connaughton to the Pistons allows Milwaukee some extra flexibility to land a star such as Butler. Butler would then join the Bucks to create a lethal big three alongside Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Adding Butler would certainly take some more depth away from the Bucks but his stardom could help offset things. Butler would bring a certain level of toughness to the table that Milwaukee has been missing all season.

This trade wouldn’t be without risks but Milwaukee could become more of a real threat by making it. They would solidify themselves as a title contender by bringing in Butler and opposing teams would have a very hard time stopping them.”

Even if they were to get Jimmy Butler in a trade, they would still have problems going up against the Boston Celtics, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the New York Knicks. Butler may not want to be traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and there is a chance that he could go elsewhere and the Bucks may have to pivot to another trade option.

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