The Milwaukee Bucks–Bradley Beal rumors have finally, mercifully been put to rest. With that option out the window, to the glee of innumerable Bucks fans, there are still rumors floating around out there involving Jimmy Butler and Zach Lavine, to name the headliners.
Acquiring Butler remains possible, if that is something Milwaukee wants to do, though the Heat star did not name the Bucks among his preferred destinations and appears hell-bent on joining the Phoenix Suns, per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. Unlike Beal, however, he doesn’t have a no-trade clause. As noted by Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes, Pat Riley and the Heat can send him wherever they like for the right return.
But this isn’t a revived Jimmy Buckets promotion. Instead, replacing Beal’s spot in the latest mock-trade shenanigans, the Bucks should re-consider an option that has faded from the spotlight amid the Beal and Butler fixation. It makes almost too much sense.
Lead Scorer on the Tanking Pelicans, CJ McCollum Fits Milwaukee like a Shooting Sleeve
According to the Pelican Debrief, it would be a good idea if the front office figured out a way to stop winning games altogether in order to land a lottery pick from an enticing pool of selections led by Duke’s Cooper Flagg. The most direct way to do that is by trading away talent that the team deems expendable.
Of the candidates on its roster, Damian Lillard’s old Portland teammate, CJ McCollum, would be a squeaky-clean fit for Milwaukee.
On the season, McCollum is averaging 22.4 PTS, his highest since 2020-21 with the Blazers, along with 3.7 REB and 3.8 AST. He is shooting 45.3% from the field and 37.2% on threes.
Monday, he dropped 45 on the Jazz.
Once again, the trade is one that would require trading Khris Middleton, something to which many supporters of the 12th-year Buck are categorically opposed now that the team is winning. Victorious in seven of eight games, Milwaukee sits 4th in the East at 24-17.
The above sector of fans will not be convinced, and that is completely fine. Middleton himself has been playing winning ball of late with remarkable consistency off the bench. In his last five games, he is scoring 13.4 PPG, dishing 5.8 APG and shooting 60%. It doesn’t mean he is near the player he was three or four years ago.
To compete for a title–and just as importantly, to survive stretches, or a playoff game or two, when Lillard or Giannis Antetokounmpo are hurt–the Bucks may need to do the hard thing and parlay Middleton into an legitimate third option. Why does McCollum make a lot more sense than the B&B bros?
McCollum Gives the Bucks 3rd Star Without Albatross Contract
For starters, McCollum has a far more manageable contract than Beal or Butler, owed $33.3 million this season and $30.7 million in 2025-26. After that, he will be a free agent.
By contrast, Beal is owed $110 million for two years beyond this season. Whoever signs Butler will have to deal with his extension demands, aside from his $52 million player option next season.
Unlike a move for Beal, acquiring McCollum would not require jumping through hoops. Dumping off Pat Connaughton–sorry Pat, you served your team well–would still be necessary, but multiple teams are interested in taking his salary in exchange for draft capital.
In a trade with the Nets, for example, the Bucks could send Connaughton and a 2031 second rounder for a fill-in-the-blank player (Trendon Watford? Ziaire Williams?) to satisfy the requirement that Brooklyn stay below the first apron after the trade.
After that, the Bucks would be free to roll, pending New Orleans’ interest in what they can offer. Would they be intrigued by an package consisting of Middleton and AJ Green, plus Milwaukee’s 2031 and 2030 firsts (the latter is subject to Portland’s swap rights)?
Non-rhetorical question: Is that too much to give up?
Another Route, Same Result
Alternatively, they could make an auxiliary deal sending Bobby Portis to the Kings for Trey Lyles and two second rounders. While Lyles is a downgrade from Portis, the Bucks could combine those seconds in a McCollum trade and possibly hold onto Green or a first rounder.
Whatever the Bucks gave them, the Pelicans would also benefit simply by unloading a star driving their win total up when they need to tank for the lottery. Sparked by Zion Williamson’s return, New Orleans has gone 7-3 in their last 10 games, but at 12-32 overall they aren’t going anywhere. Playing better ball now harms both their immediate and long-term goals.
The question is whether another team, such as the Pistons, would be able to offer them more.
The Middleton-McCollum Swap Makes for a Tantalizing Lineup
It is hard not be tempted by a starting lineup of Giannis, Dame, CJ, Brook Lopez, and Taurean Prince; Gary Trent Jr., Portis/Lyles, and Andre Jackson/Green would come off the bench. Adding McCollum would allow Doc Rivers greater flexibility to stagger his stars across reserve rotations. And if Giannis plus Lillard do even a little less work on a nightly basis, they might stay healthier in the long run.
The Bucks are playing extremely well of late, but at least on paper, that seems like a better roster than they have had since 2021-22, with Jrue Holiday at point guard and Middleton at his peak.
Should the Bucks explore this trade? McCollum has experience playing with Lillard, mitigating post-trade confusion determining who should have the ball and when. Critics might note that the duo did not reach the Finals in Portland, but then again, Portland didn’t have a Giannis.
12 years into his career, McCollum remains an elite scorer and a high-grade third option. Milwaukee has determined that, at least right now, Middleton is not suitable to start. There is no doubt that CJ would slide into the starting lineup, giving Andre Jackson or Taurean Prince a more appropriate bench role.
At the very least, it makes more sense–for player fit, for finances, and for the future–than either Beal or Butler. That may not be a high standard, but maneuvering for McCollum is worth more than a second thought.
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