Trying to get the money and picks right for a massive NBA deal
With the Bucks getting ready to pick a new head coach, should the team plan to keep all of its players? Should the Bucks trade Jrue Holiday? What about working out a sign and trade with star Khris Middleton?
The Bucks currently are $27,000,000 over the ACTIVE NBA Salary Cap. The good news for Milwaukee is this is a very common thing in the NBA (The ‘Cap’ in the NBA is much more of a suggestion.) That 27 million number does not count any “CAP HOLDS” or the room to be able to re-sign current NBA veterans under ‘Bird Rights’, another more unique concept to the NBA.
Whatever the team and franchise decide to do we all can agree on one thing, “we would rather be discussing Bucks playoff games than Bucks roster move”: but here we are. Anyway, we are where we are, looking at a possible Nuggets/Heat NBA finals. And the Bucks and their fans have important questions to answer.
Bucks and the Center position?
Who is going to play center? Do the Bucks need a “true” center?
Resigning Brook Lopez appears to be a big first decision for Milwaukee. Lopez is 35 years old and has an injury history that would scare some teams away. Of course for Milwaukee, he has paired so well with Giannis that it might be good to keep that strong chemistry going. And that last playoff performance against the Heat left a great taste in every Bucks fans mouth.
The 2023 NBA Center Free Agent Market has some interesting names the Bucks most certainly won’t go after: Nikola Vucevic, Kristaps Porzingis and Kevin Love.
But a player like a Naz Reid or a Nick Richards of Charlotte might allow Milwaukee to get younger at the position. Deciding to keep or move off of Lopez is going to be huge in terms of the team’s roster construction. Lopez earned $13.9 million last year.
Trading Jrue Holiday
The Bucks traded a lot to get Jrue Holiday. He has been an amazing fit for both the team and in terms of his working to better the Milwaukee community.
But when you lose in the first round of the NBA playoffs, anything is possible.
Trading Holiday to any team without getting back picks and a star player would be a ripoff for Milwaukee.
Here is a wild “twitter trade”.
I think POR would be dumb to trade for #3 for Ayton but if they want to do it, here’s a 3 team deal in think PHX & MIL would say yes to
Suns get
-Khris Middleton
-Jrue HolidayTrailblazers get
-Deandre AytonBucks get
-Chris Paul
-#3 pick in the draft pic.twitter.com/zzOph3Rnno— Spencer Keele (@SpencerKeele) May 19, 2023
Dealing for Dame
Related: Damian Lillard to the Bucks: What would it take?
The rumor mill continues to swirl around Dame Lillard, arguably one of the top ten players in the NBA, and where he might end up. It appears the Trail Blazers are about ready to go through a full-rebuild. Milwaukee is still wondering, “what in the world happened to our season?” Pairing Giannis and Dame together is a Bucks fan’s dream.
Both Lillard and Giannis have been able to “flirt” a little through social media. And grabbing Giannis, pairing him with Lillard and Jrue Holiday makes this team instantly better.
Current Players Under Contract
Giannis Antetokounmpo- 5 yr $228,200,420 S-MAX Expires 2026
Jrue Holiday- 4 yr $134,997,333 Expires 2025
Bobby Portis- 4 yr $48,578,208 Expires 2026
Pat Connaughton- 3 yr $28,271,607 Expires 2026
Grayson Allen- 2 yr $18,700,000 Expires 2024
MarJon Beauchamp- 4 yr $12,609,596 Expires 2026
Lindell Wigginton Expires 2024
So, with that being said, who will the Bucks keep?
Keep an eye here on wisportsheroics for all of the up-to-date news.
Follow me on Twitter at @authorrudylb and check out my other writings at www.rudylb.com. Check out the cool I-Heart Radio Podcast Gyro Step Podcast here. Follow us at @WiSportsHeroics for all things Wisconsin sports. Also, check out our merch store for some amazing WSH merchandise!
