The Milwaukee Bucks are days away from starting the 2024-25 NBA season, a year that will see them, once again, expected to compete for a Championship. With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Bucks clearly have the star-power and talent necessary to compete in the Eastern Conference. Khris Middleton, if/when healthy, is one of the best third options in the NBA.
In addition to their Big Three, Milwaukee made key free agent signings, all veteran minimum deals, that improved their roster. Gary Trent Jr., a 38/6% three-point shooter in his career, is the team’s new shooting guard, replacing Malik Beasley who signed with the Detroit Pistons.
Taurean Prince and Delon Wright were signed to improve Milwaukee’s bench. Wright replaces Patrick Beverley as the Lillard’s backup point guard while Prince figures to take minutes away from several bench regulars who spelled Middleton in the past.
The Milwaukee Bucks Are Looking to Trade Marjon Beauchamp
One of the players that is sure to see his playing time diminished is former first-round draft pick Marjon Beauchamp. Last season, the G-League Ingnite product appeared in just 48 games (12.7 minutes per game) and averaged 4.4 points and 2.1 rebounds.
He shot 49/40/68 from the field.
According to Jake Fischer, the Bucks are looking to trade their 2023 first-round pick, who likely will not see the court much with Milwaukee’s new bench rotation.
“The Bucks have informed rival teams of Milwaukee’s early interest in trading MarJon Beauchamp, sources said. Beauchamp, a G League Ignite product, could help the Bucks acquire a defensive-minded wing,” he posted on Threads.
As mentioned earlier, Prince stands to be the main backup at the three behind Middleton. Pat Connaughton and AJ Green will likely be the first two off the bench to spell Trent in games, too. As the roster stands, Beauchamp is probably the 15th out of 15 players, meaning he will rarely get any playing time.
The Milwaukee Bucks Want to Sign Thanasis Antetokounmpo
According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, the reason why the Bucks want to trade Beauchamp is so that they can free up some salary cap space to sign Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
Smith posted on X (formerly Twitter), Part of the Bucks interest in trading MarJon Beauchamp (as Jake Fischer reported earlier) is to open a roster spot. Milwaukee has some interest in re-signing locker room favorite Thanasis Antetokounmpo.”
As fans know, the elder Antetokounmpo brother is out for the season after tearing his Achilles during a workout this summer.
“Thanasis Antetokounmpo is expected to miss the season to rehab from a torn Achilles’ tendon, but his locker room presence is prized by the Bucks, and his brother Giannis Antetokounmpo,” Smith added.
While this may not sound fair to Beauchamp, the fact of the matter is that he will never get the playing time that he needs to keep growing and improving in Milwaukee. The 15th player on the depth chart never plays outside of garbage time during blowout wins or losses.
Since Thanasis is not going to play anyway due to his injury, it does make some sense that Milwaukee would be interested in making him their 15th rostered player because of his aforementioned locker room presence.
Beauchamp, if traded, could end up on a team where he has a better chance of getting playing time.
Unfortunately, it would also mean Milwaukee’s run of missing on first round picks would continue.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
