Bucks Eye Trade Moves to Bolster Championship Hopes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Milwaukee Bucks, currently holding the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 24-17 record, are exploring trade options to strengthen their roster ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Riding a four-game win streak and having won seven of their last 10 games, the Bucks are positioning themselves as serious contenders in the East.

In their latest victory, a Sunday home win against the depleted Philadelphia 76ers, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the charge with 34 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists. Damian Lillard added 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists, showcasing the team’s star power. However, the Bucks are looking to address their bench depth and youth through potential trades.

One proposed trade scenario involves the Bucks acquiring Jordan Poole, Jonas Valanciunas, and Saddiq Bey from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and a 2031 first-round draft pick. This move would bring in a 25-year-old Milwaukee native, Poole, who is averaging a career-high 21.6 points per game. Valanciunas would provide a strong presence off the bench, while Bey, despite being injured, has shown promise with 13.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game this season.

Parting with Middleton and Lopez would be difficult, given their contributions to the Bucks’ 2021 championship run. Middleton has been with the team for 12 years, and Lopez is in his seventh season with Milwaukee. However, the Bucks are willing to make tough decisions to enhance their championship aspirations.

The Bucks’ current salary situation complicates potential trades. With their team salary exceeding the second apron above the luxury tax, they face restrictions on aggregating player salaries in trades. Any trade must keep their team salary below $188.9 million, factoring in unlikely incentives. Additionally, they cannot acquire more than 100% of the salary they trade away due to being beyond the first apron.

Despite these challenges, the Bucks have several tradeable assets, including young players like AJ Green and Ryan Rollins, as well as future draft picks. The 2031 first-round pick is particularly valuable, given the uncertainty of the team’s future competitiveness. Green, a 25-year-old three-point shooter, is extension-eligible this summer and could be a key piece in salary-matching trades.

Brook Lopez, despite his defensive prowess, has an expiring $23 million contract that could attract interest from other teams. Bobby Portis, with a $12.6 million expiring salary, is another potential trade piece, especially if he declines his player option for the 2025-26 season.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Bucks are weighing their options carefully. The goal is clear: to build a roster capable of contending for another NBA championship. Whether through blockbuster trades or smaller moves, Milwaukee is determined to make the most of their current window of opportunity.