The Milwaukee Bucks have failed to get past the first round of the NBA playoffs in the last two seasons. A season ago, they lost to the Indiana Pacers in six games. Khris Middleton played well in that series, but his health has been a major question mark for the team in the past.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard missed time in the series against Indiana with injuries of their own. Milwaukee has made some questionable decisions this offseason. General manager Jon Horst has been scrutinized for drafting A.J. Johnson 23rd overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. He also selected Tyler Smith with the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The Bucks also signed Delon Wright, Tauren Prince, and Gary Trent Jr. this offseason. Milwaukee did not bring back Patrick Beverly and Malik Beasley. There were also many trade rumors about different Milwaukee Bucks players on the roster this offseason.
Bleacher Report Creates Mock Trade Where the Milwaukee Bucks Would Send Khris Middleton To the Golden State Warriors
Bleacher Report writer Greg Swartz created a three-team trade. The Bucks would acquire forward Jerami Grant from the Portland Trail Blazers, the Golden State Warriors would acquire Khris Middleton from the Milwaukee Bucks, and Portland would acquire Moses Moody and Andrew Wiggins from Golden State.
Swartz said about this mock trade:
“Remember when the Bucks traded for one of the Blazers stars last offseason? What if they just, like, did that again?
Khris Middleton is a better all-around player than Jerami Grant, but he’s also struggled to stay healthy in recent years and had arthroscopic surgeries on both ankles this offseason. If the Bucks have any hesitations about Middleton’s ability to stay on the court, swapping him for Grant (who’s also two years younger) makes sense.
A starting five of Damian Lillard, Gary Trent Jr., Grant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez would remain one of the best in the East, as Grant averaged 21.0 points and made 40.2 percent of his threes last season. Lillard and Grant already carry a year of experience together from their 2022-23 season with the Blazers.”
This would be a very interesting trade for all parties. Milwaukee would get younger from this trade. Middleton is 33 years old and Grant is 30 years old. Khris Middleton last season with the Bucks averaged 15.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 5.3 APG, along with shooting 49.3% from the field.
Jerami Grant last season with the Trail Blazers averaged 21.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, along with shooting 45.1% from the field. Grant would provide more athleticism to the Bucks lineup compared to Middleton.
Middleton will have a cap hit north of $31 million for the 2024-2025 season. He has a player option for the 2025-2026 season. As for Grant, he will have a cap hit north of $29 million for the 2024-2025 season. Jerami Grant will have a player option for the 2027-2028 season.
If general manager Jon Horst were to make a three-way deal like this, it would keep the Milwaukee Bucks championship window open longer. Jerami Grant at this point would be a better fit around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, compared to Khris Middleton.
The potential starting lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks would be Damian Lillard, Gary Trent Jr., Jerami Grant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Brook Lopez. Bobby Portis Jr. would be the first player off the bench. Milwaukee would be a better team by having Jerami Grant on the roster instead of Khris Middleton.
