The Milwaukee Bucks are 22-17, five games over .500 for the first time this season. They won their previous game, a home contest against the Orlando Magic, 122-93. Now the fourth seed in the NBA Eastern Conference, the Bucks are finally starting to look like the Championship contenders that many fans believed they could be this year.
However, their 2-8 start, which also included a six-game losing streak, had many fans and analysts predicting that the Bucks would make a major trade at some point this season. Due to his recent injury history, three-time All-Star Khris Middleton was a name commonly thrown around in trade proposals.
Despite their improved play, the Bucks are still linked to multiple trade scenarios involving Middleton, but there is actually only on that they will consider.
The Milwaukee Bucks Would Trade Khris Middleton to the Miami Heat for Jimmy Butler
While it was believed earlier that disgruntled Miami Heat star had informed the Bucks that they should not trade for him, new reports have revealed that those beliefs were unfounded. In other words, he would play for Milwaukee, and the Bucks are reportedly willing to deal Middleton to make it happen.
According to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points:
“Aside from Miami’s opinion on what the Bucks have to offer, this is the only real scenario in which Milwaukee would be willing to move Middleton before this year’s trade deadline, sources said.”
That being said, the Bucks would need to give up a lot more than just Middleton to make a trade for Butler work with Miami.
The Milwaukee Bucks Would Need to Move Multiple Players to Get Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat
Before Milwaukee could make any trades, they would first need to get under the second apron of the NBA luxury tax. This would mean dumping Pat Connaughton’s salary in a trade with a team that could absorb it (Siegel suggested the Detroit Pistons).
After that, the Bucks would need to include one of Bobby Portis or Brook Lopez along with Middleton in order to make the salaries work in a trade with the Heat.
How, while that may sound agreeable to some Bucks fans, there are two things to consider. First, Butler will be a free agent at the end of the season as his current deal has a $52 million player option for 2025-26. It is widely believed the only team he would sign an extension for after a trade is the Phoenix Suns.
Second, the Heat would actually have to want Middleton and Lopez/Portis in return. There is no indication that they do.
More Milwaukee Bucks News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Bucks’ Eastern Conference Rival Predicted to Scoop Up 1 Perfect Fit Trade Candidate
- Doc Rivers Reveals How Bucks Neutralized Paolo Banchero in Latest Win Over Magic
- Bucks Reveal Major Injury Update on Gary Trent Jr.
- Bucks Star Brook Lopez Explains How Important Playing with Pace Is for Team
- “Oh My God;” Jimmy Butler Trade Report Sparks Widespread Attention
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!
