Saving the Bucks - Building around Giannis for 25-26
Posted: Fri May 16, 2025 5:13 pm
With the East looking wide open again next year and Giannis preferring to stay in Milwaukee (based on what we know about him, not any reporting); the Bucks see what they can do to surround him with the talent to make a run.
Trade #1
Milwaukee Receives:
Jerami Grant
Portland Receives:
Kyle Kuzma
Pat Connaughton
Why for Portland - Grant's trade value has fallen off with his play on this contract. They knock a year off of JG's deal with Kuzma and Connaughton is expiring. Maybe Kuzma rehabs his trade value to be dealt at the deadline or next offseason.
Trade #2
Milwaukee Receives:
Jordan Poole
Marcus Smart
Washington Receives:
Damian Lillard
2031 Top 3 Protected 1st Round Pick, unprotected in 2032
Why For Washington - This will definitely be controversial. Washington is on track to be at the bottom of the standings again next season. They get a very attractive 1st Round Pick long after Giannis's prime basically to pay Dame $20M more than they would pay Poole in 26-27. In the meantime, Dame can be a great mentor to their young guys along with Middleton. Potential to include swaps of swaps as additional sweetner.
Trade #3
Milwaukee Receives:
Moses Moody
Golden State Receives:
Brook Lopez (S&T 2 Years $24M)
Why for Golden State - Fill their hole at center with a great fit next to their core guys on the same timeline.
Free Agency
Guerschon Yabusele - 3 Years, $30M (most of the midlevel, right up to the 1st Apron)
Jericho Sims - Minimum
Tre Jones - Minimum
Bucks Roster
5) Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bobby Portis | Jericho Sims
4) Jerami Grant | Guerschon Yabusele | Tyler Smith
3) Moses Moody | Andre Jackson | Chris Livingston
2) Jordan Poole | AJ Green | (#47 pick on a two-way)
1) Marcus Smart | Kevin Porter Jr. | Tre Jones
This team leans into point-Giannis at center. JG, Yabu, and Moody give you length and solid shooting at the forward spots. Poole is an upside bet that he can give you 70-80% of what Dame did. It's a homecoming for him and your hoping a winning environment gets him in-line to be a positive on the court. Marcus Smart hasn't been healthy and no guarantees but he's a leader with a chip on his shoulder who brings toughness and attitude to a team that has lacked on both. Portis and Sims give you two different types of centers that can play with and in-place of Giannis. Tre Jones is point guard insurance to run your team when Marcus is absent.
Thoughts?
Trade #1
Milwaukee Receives:
Jerami Grant
Portland Receives:
Kyle Kuzma
Pat Connaughton
Why for Portland - Grant's trade value has fallen off with his play on this contract. They knock a year off of JG's deal with Kuzma and Connaughton is expiring. Maybe Kuzma rehabs his trade value to be dealt at the deadline or next offseason.
Trade #2
Milwaukee Receives:
Jordan Poole
Marcus Smart
Washington Receives:
Damian Lillard
2031 Top 3 Protected 1st Round Pick, unprotected in 2032
Why For Washington - This will definitely be controversial. Washington is on track to be at the bottom of the standings again next season. They get a very attractive 1st Round Pick long after Giannis's prime basically to pay Dame $20M more than they would pay Poole in 26-27. In the meantime, Dame can be a great mentor to their young guys along with Middleton. Potential to include swaps of swaps as additional sweetner.
Trade #3
Milwaukee Receives:
Moses Moody
Golden State Receives:
Brook Lopez (S&T 2 Years $24M)
Why for Golden State - Fill their hole at center with a great fit next to their core guys on the same timeline.
Free Agency
Guerschon Yabusele - 3 Years, $30M (most of the midlevel, right up to the 1st Apron)
Jericho Sims - Minimum
Tre Jones - Minimum
Bucks Roster
5) Giannis Antetokounmpo | Bobby Portis | Jericho Sims
4) Jerami Grant | Guerschon Yabusele | Tyler Smith
3) Moses Moody | Andre Jackson | Chris Livingston
2) Jordan Poole | AJ Green | (#47 pick on a two-way)
1) Marcus Smart | Kevin Porter Jr. | Tre Jones
This team leans into point-Giannis at center. JG, Yabu, and Moody give you length and solid shooting at the forward spots. Poole is an upside bet that he can give you 70-80% of what Dame did. It's a homecoming for him and your hoping a winning environment gets him in-line to be a positive on the court. Marcus Smart hasn't been healthy and no guarantees but he's a leader with a chip on his shoulder who brings toughness and attitude to a team that has lacked on both. Portis and Sims give you two different types of centers that can play with and in-place of Giannis. Tre Jones is point guard insurance to run your team when Marcus is absent.
Thoughts?