The Milwaukee Bucks are going to be one of the better teams in the NBA for the foreseeable future. As long as Giannis Antetounmpo is a Buck, Milwaukee will always have high expectations.
However, Giannis has made it clear that he will remain in Milwaukee for as long as they are competitive. He wants Milwaukee to keep their foot on the gas when it comes to acquiring talent.
Recently, Bucks GM Jon Horst opened up about the decision to do just that.
Milwaukee Bucks GM Jon Horst Opens Up About Blockbuster Trade
Milwaukee Bucks acquired All-NBA guard Damian Lillard from Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team trade last offseason. There was no doubt that Lillard was interested in moving on from Portland at the time. However, Miami Heat was heavily expected to sign him. That didn’t matter, however, as Milwaukee landed him to pair with former champion and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
In a recent article by Elie Degaoui of Last Word on Sports:
Although the potential is there, it is fair to call the Lillard-Antetokounmpo era of the Bucks a bit disappointing after one season. Regardless, Bucks GM Jon Horst has made it clear that he does not regret the trade (subscription required).
“We’ve talked about this a little bit in some of the other media sessions that I’ve had, but I agree. And I don’t apologize for it. I think it’s just the nature of our business. We had an offseason. We built a team, and then we had an incredible opportunity to acquire an NBA All-75th Anniversary team, top-75 player and pair him with another NBA All-75th Anniversary team, top-75 player late in the offseason and we did it.”
Earlier in the offseason, The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor reported that the Bucks could trade big man Brook Lopez. O’Connor mentioned that the Bucks wanted to change their defensive style next season, making Lopez an odd man out. However, Horst recently said that he has “zero intentions” of trading the 36-year-old.
“Because Brook is so core to who we are, we have zero intentions of trading Brook. Of course he has value around the league. That’s a credit to him. But we’ve not engaged in any real conversations about trading Brook. There are teams that have a lot of value and interest in him. It’s my job to take calls, receive calls, have conversations, but Brook has been and will continue to be core to who we are. I hope that Brook retires as a Milwaukee Buck.”
Lillard will be 34-years-old during the entirety of the 2024-25 NBA season. It is likely he will have a number of years ahead of him to play in the league. Keeping him paired with Giannis will be huge for this franchise and their window to win another NBA Championship.
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