As Damian Lillard recovers from Achilles surgery, jeopardizing his availability to begin next season, the Milwaukee Bucks will need to find a replacement guard – as much, anyway, as Dame as can be replaced – in free agency or via trade. Good news for them, the Utah Jazz are reportedly shopping two possible targets “pretty hard.” The Bucks should seriously consider pursuing both of them.
Utah Jazz Putting Collin Sexton, Jordan Clarkson on the Market
Monday evening, Legion Hoops tweeted the following, based on intel from Jazz reporter Tony Jones of The Athletic:
REPORT: The Jazz will try “pretty hard” to trade Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson this offseason, per @Tjonesonthenba. pic.twitter.com/A6OFVH8K21
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 9, 2025
Both veteran guards are on expiring contracts, which means the Bucks would be giving up something for a temporary return, but it also means they would sacrifice less. A one-year deal fits the “gap year” philosophy, if Milwaukee goes that route, mitigating Lillard’s absence to help the team remain competitive. In the meantime, the front office develops out a younger core and prepares for Giannis Antetokounmpo extension talks next summer, when he becomes eligible.
Obviously, the Bucks are not going to make up for Lillard’s 24.9 points per game and 7.1 assists last season. But either Sexton or Clarkson would supply some of what they will desperately need without Dame – namely, backcourt scoring.
Averaging 27.9 minutes in Utah, Sexton scored 18.4 PPG and dished out 4.2 dimes while shooting 48% from the field and 40.6% on threes. An established contributor, in his seven career seasons he has averaged 18.8 PPG, 47% from the field and 38.7% from distance.
Clarkson is the lesser of the two options but has been a sparkplug off the bench throughout his career. His numbers last season: 16.2 PPG, 3.7 assists, 40.8%, 36.2%. Even if the Bucks re-sign Kevin Porter Jr., they will need to acquire reinforcements. A guy like Sexton or Clarkson would fit the bill.
What Would Milwaukee Bucks Give Up?
With Clarkson, whose $14.2 salary is lower than Sexton’s $19.1 million, matching the money would be easier. In fact, it could be fairly simple. How about Pat Connaughton and this year’s second rounder for a player the Jazz should expect to walk next offseason? Turning a year of Connaughton into a year of Clarkson would be a win for the Bucks.
Acquiring Sexton would take slightly more maneuvering, but not much, depending on how badly the Jazz want to unload him and what offers they receive. Connaughton, Chris Livingston and cash would make the money work. Being a better player than Clarkson, let’s say Sexton requires two seconds – 2025 and 2032. Too much, or too little?
Parting with multiple picks hurts when the cache is already bare, but it would be surprising if the Jazz did not get at least a similar offer elsewhere. From Utah’s perspective, they would again be unloading a player unlikely to re-sign, getting something instead of nothing.
The asking price will determine a lot, but the Bucks should definitely make some calls if they are indeed holding onto Giannis and trying to compete next season.
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