At this point, it seems clear that the Milwaukee Bucks will continue to build around their two cornerstone superstars, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, as they look to challenge for the title next season.
You could argue that the team’s core should also include Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez, as these two have been integral to Milwaukee’s success throughout the past several years.
It is also true, however, that given the fact that the Bucks do not have an overwhelming amount of assets available at their disposal, any significant offseason move might require a substantial loss on their end.
Should Milwaukee Bucks Trade Brook Lopez?
Team insider Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently fielded a myriad of questions from Milwaukee supporters in a recent edition of his mailbag. One of those inquiries revolved around the Bucks making significant changes to their roster ahead of the new campaign.
According to Owczarski, the team might need to seriously consider parting ways with Lopez (and perhaps Bobby Portis as well) if they want to make impactful changes to their lineup this summer:
“The only real way to drastically alter the roster would be to trade a member of the ‘core four.’ Antetokounmpo and Lillard, to me, cannot be moved. I don’t think Middleton currently could return a similar-level player that can help the 2024-25 team win a championship. Then, that leaves Lopez. Perhaps Portis (who is extension eligible).
“Now, (general manager Jon Horst) would only trade Jrue Holiday for a player as talented as Lillard. So If Lopez and/or Portis were to be moved, it would have to be for players who could help the Bucks win the championship this year and next. Since the Bucks pulled Lillard out of the hat, one must always allow the possibility for another stunning big move,” Owczarski wrote.
This actually makes sense. Lopez has endeared himself as a fan favorite through the years (you can say the same for Portis), but the hard truth is that the former All-Star big man is the only viable trade asset the Bucks have at the moment.
Milwaukee could make a bit of a splash in free agency or by making minor trades here and there, but the fact of the matter is that a major sacrifice has to be made in order to make a substantial roster upgrade.
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