NBA News: The Milwaukee Bucks have been the subject of many trade ideas during the 2023 NBA off-season. Chris Paul and Bradley Beal were both named as possible targets for the Bucks. Coincidentally, they were both part of the same trade that had nothing to do with the Bucks. Colin Cowherd suggested another league-altering trade that would feature the Milwaukee Bucks and the Dallas Mavericks.
Milwaukee Bucks Land Four-Time All-Star Luke Doncic In Massive Trade Suggested By Colin Cowherd
NBA analyst Colin Cowherd proposed a wild trade idea that sends Dallas Mavericks’ superstar, Luka Doncic to the Milwaukee Bucks. In return, Dallas would receive Khris Middleton, who declined his $40.4 million option with the Bucks but has been speculated to re-sign with the team again:
Colin Cowherd’s trade idea:
Dallas Mavericks receive: Luka Doncic
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Khris Middleton
(Via @TheHerd ) pic.twitter.com/HXWMxdyxhT
— NBACentral (@TheNBAcentel) June 25, 2023
Is This Trade Realistic In Any Way?
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/dmn/I66A5OIF7NFDHFD5D6JOXPWEXY.jpg "NBA News: Milwaukee Bucks Named In Trade That Lands 24-Year-Old 4X All-Star 3")
The 2022-23 season was a massive failure for the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic. Despite adding Kyrie Irving to the frame, they didn’t make the playoffs. That being said, there are certain players in the NBA who seem “untouchable” when it comes to trades. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jason Taytum, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokic are a few examples. Some might say Damian Lillard, however, recent reports indicate that COULD change. Luke Doncic could certainly fall in that “untouchable” category.
Financially speaking, Doncic is under contract through the 2026-27 NBA season. He has a $40 million cap hit during the 2023 NBA season. Coincidentally, that is the same price as Khris Middleton’s player option (which he declined). If both Jevon Carter (who has yet to make his decision) and Khris Middleton accepted their player options, the Bucks would have suddenly had $157.8 million on their payroll for 2023. That would have put them just a few million away from the luxury tax line of $162 million.
The 2023 season could realistically work for the Milwaukee Bucks and Luka Doncic, however, his cap hit increases every year after that. It goes all the way up to $48.9 million in 2026-27. The Bucks would likely need to let go of some key players in order to make that contract work. Something they would likely not be willing to do.
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1 Comment
Not to mention it’s a terrible tactical fit. Doncic puts up numbers. He’s not a winner. ANY team with him on it should be 50 wins and a series win or two in the playoffs.
It might work on the Bucks if he were willing to share the ball even more than he does AND if the Bucks D could cover up for his complete inability to defend anyone.
He may end up being the next Westbrook, a stat hunter who actually hurts his team’s chances of winning because he selfishly hunts rebounds and actually ends up slowing down fast breaks (an outlet pass moves faster than a PG LOSING 15 feet to hunt rebounds and THEN run).
And it’s pretty clear that the Bucks should (and seems to have drafted as they will) run more often and better.
It is time to move on from Midds and let guys like Marjon and the new rookie SF and PF run. And the true gem of the off season may be Moore if he gains weight and develops. He looks like a skinny MJ in 1984 at 6′ 6″ and 190 and could be our future PG (bye bye to Wiggington and others, as all 4 rookies end up with the Herd, 3 of them replacing last year’s 2 way players and one taking the new roster spot).