The NBA season hasn’t been over for long here in Wisconsin, but Milwaukee Bucks trade rumors for core players have been swirling. Although Giannis is untouchable, it is reasonable to see scenarios where Khris Middleton or Jrue Holiday are traded. Although this core won a championship together, age is starting to show, and even more importantly, contracts are making it difficult for the Bucks to improve the roster.
Below I lay out three different trade rumors that have been floated over the last couple of days. Although only a few appear to be viable on paper, some may have advantages outside of just the player coming back. Getting young and clearing cap space for future moves is likely the goal of any trade.
Milwaukee Bucks Trade Rumors: Khris Middleton to Houston
It has been rumored that the Houston Rockets are ready to take the next step in their rebuild and add an established star to their team. The two players they are supposedly interested in are James Harden and Middleton. Both have player options for the upcoming season, and it’s likely both take the option. This appears more likely for Middleton as it’s not likely he will find a team willing to pay him $40 million per year on the open market.
In return for proven talent, Houston is throwing around the idea of Jalen Green as the player to be the center of the trade package. The 21-year-old, second-year player averaged 22 points per game this season to go along with 3.7 assists and rebound. He scored a career-high 42 points in January against Minnesota.
Green has two years left of club control as his 23’/24′ option was already exercised, where he’ll count for just shy of $10 million against the cap and about $12.5 million the following season. Those are price tags any team should be able to deal with for a young player already producing at a solid clip.
On the flip side, the one-year contract for Middleton, assuming he accepts his player option, would be low risk for Houston. They aren’t short on cap space and could extend Middleton if he fits. If not, the Rockets still have a lot of ammunition to try and add a star.
Although moving Middleton would hurt, this is the kind of return where it would make sense to pull the trigger. Green may not be as efficient as Middleton, but he could bring more to the table overall. For starters, he’s 10 years younger and would bring an element of athleticism the Bucks just didn’t have this season. Moving Middleton would also open up a ton of cap space which would allow the Bucks to add a key player in free agency.
The combination of Green, a high-end free agent, getting younger as a team, and adding versatility could outweigh the ties to Middleton. He’s done great things for this franchise, and Giannis loves him, but health has continued to be an issue. He was also non-existent on defense against the Heat. There are too many positives involved in this trade rumor to not heavily consider it if you’re Milwaukee.
Verdict: Love
Milwaukee Bucks Trade Rumors: Khris Middleton to Dallas
It was reported yesterday that the Dallas Mavericks were looking for upgrades, and the two players in their sights are Deandre Ayton of the Suns and Middleton. Although this makes sense for the Mavs, I don’t know if it works out for the Bucks.
For one, the Mavs don’t have anyone that would make sense in return for Middleton. Luka Doncic isn’t going anywhere, and they aren’t going to let Kyrie Irving go for free after giving up assets to bring him in at the trade deadline this year. They are likely trying to form a big 3 in Dallas, and outside of Irving, they don’t have a young player a team like the Bucks would be interested in, at least not in return for Middleton.
Although pairing Kyrie Irving with Giannis has the potential to be exciting, I don’t see the Bucks’ front office wanting to deal with the drama that comes with Irving. As talented as he is, the extra baggage isn’t worth it outside of teams desperate to try and make something work. Even if Milwaukee was open to adding him, it feels like Dallas would like to have Doncic, Middleton, and Irving on the court together, which leaves little of value in return for the Bucks.
Verdict: Hate
Milwaukee Bucks Trade Rumors: Damian Lillard to Milwaukee
There haven’t been any Milwaukee Bucks trade rumors for this player, but it makes sense to speculate about. Although Lillard has been extremely loyal to the Portland Trailblazers, they have failed to put competitive teams around him. On top of that, Lillard stated in a segment for GQ’s youtube channel that Giannis would be his go-to player to help him win a championship (4:12 minute mark).
Although the segment was for fun, and nothing more has come of it, it’s definitely something to think about. Would Lillard in Milwaukee make sense, and do the Bucks have anything Portland would want? The first part of the question is simple, yes. Lillard on the Bucks would make some sense, although I will refrain from saying it’s a no-brainer. Lillard is a great scorer, but he’s 32, costs more than Middleton, and isn’t known for his defense.
This is the kind of move a desperate front office makes to prove to the fans they are trying to win. The Bucks’ front office doesn’t have to prove anything, as they’ve been title contenders for years. The bigger piece is that Milwaukee doesn’t have the draft capital to entice Portland. They also aren’t likely to want an aging, expensive vet in return, as moving Lillard is the likely start of a rebuild.
As much fun as it would be to see Giannis and Lillard play together, I don’t see it being the combination that results in titles. It would likely have to be a three-team trade, and either Holiday or Middleton would be the player going. If it’s Holiday leaving, then the defense takes a major step back, although the offense would be fun to watch. If it’s Middleton leaving, the Bucks have virtually no scoring threat at shooting forward and no money to work with.
Verdict: Hate
Milwaukee Bucks Trade Rumors: Final Thoughts
We will likely see many more Milwaukee Bucks trade rumors pop up over the next couple of months. Depending on what happens with his contract, Middleton will likely be at the center of them. I wouldn’t be shocked if the Bucks are also shopping Holiday behind the scenes. This franchise will be forever thankful that he helped bring a championship to Milwaukee, but his shot selection and ineffectiveness in the playoffs the last two years are big reasons why Milwaukee hasn’t made it further than the second round.
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