Bucks Offseason Thread - Trade, news, re-tool discussion

[IrishRainbow]

Yeah, Bridges is the only one I could see that type of package for. Unless they are looking at Toronto's Siakam or Anonouby? I wouldn't do that deal for them though.

The term elite gets thrown out so easily these days it’s hard to gauge. I certainly wouldn’t classify these guys as elite. Even Bridges. I kind of wince at that connection at this point. I personally need longer consistency as part of the equation. I think playing stretches at an elite level or having an elite skill(set) is still a sizable difference from actually being elite.

Dissection of twitter grammar and sensationalism is an exercise in futility though.

[jakecronus8]

Read on Twitter

Is Middleton considered Elite in any way?

Bucks need to do everything they can on this one. This is exactly what they need. Stay contending while getting younger, more athletic, and more diverse on offense.

[TroyD92]

I'd do it for the 3rd pick let alone Simons as well lol

[raferfenix]

How much do we think the Blazers would value a Bobby for Nurkic swap?

Middleton for #3 seems like way too much to hope for on the face of it.

But if Portland really is committed to winning with Dame (massive if) they might make a desperation move of some kind.

[raferfenix]

Hollinger sees a sellers market for wings.

One can argue there are teams that should be doing this, mind you, but sorry: There does not appear to be any willpower for this type of step back in places like, say, Chicago or Portland or Washington. Zach LaVine, Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal aren’t walking through that door. Toronto seems like the only team that might — might — entertain dealing elite wings for draft capital. As we’ll see in a minute, this state of affairs puts one lottery team in particular in a quandary.

Note that I said “the team at No. 3” because of widespread speculation the Trail Blazers, who currently own the pick, will seek to trade out of the third position rather than select another young player. With Portland in “win it for Dame” mode and the Blazers desperate for playable wings (even presuming they re-sign Jerami Grant), speculation is already widespread that a package of the third pick and Anfernee Simons might be used to snag an elite small forward.

https://theathletic.com/4535111/2023/05/19/nba-draft-rumors-notes-hollinger/?source=nbatw

[MoreTrife]

If you imagine being a Portland fan, trading the number three pick and Simons and you have about to be 32 year old unexciting Khris Middleton coming in...I don't think that's realistic at all.

[TroyD92]

If you imagine being a Portland fan, trading the number three pick and Simons and you have about to be 32 year old unexciting Khris Middleton coming in...I don't think that's realistic at all.

Sounds like being a bucks fan

[JayMKE]

"Elite" wings don't grow on trees and who else is even available? Considering the amount of picks traded over the last few years for star players I'd say that compensation is pretty light for Kevin Durant and Boston isn't trading either of the Jays for that so I don't know who they'd realistically be targeting. Middleton might be the best available which might be the best that Portland can do and they're backed into a corner with their desperate small market team attachment to aging Lillard, Jrue would be a good running mate for him too to be honest.

[ReasonablySober]

I don't even understand how the framework of a Middleton for #3 deal would even work. Obviously he'd have to opt in by the day before the draft, but I would assume it's with a *wink-wink* agreement on an extension.

I don't see that happening. I think a Jrue trade makes a lot more sense. He'd be perfect next to Dame.

[tedbrogen]

I don't even understand how the framework of a Middleton for #3 deal would even work. Obviously he'd have to opt in by the day before the draft, but I would assume it's with a *wink-wink* agreement on an extension.

I don't see that happening. I think a Jrue trade makes a lot more sense. He'd be perfect next to Dame.

Yeah, Midds would have to agree to it and the Blazers would have to work out an acceptable extension with his agent beforehand.

I probably rather send a Jrue package. Midds can still be an elite shot creator. Jrue keeps getting exposed on offense more often than not in the postseason. Plus if Jrue really might retire, be nice to cash out before that salary slot disappears.

[paulpressey25]

Remember, this is Hollinger speculating on #3 plus Simons. He also said Donte should get a 4/$99 contract.

I don't see Portland doing the deal for either Jrue or Middleton. Simons is only 24 and just had his breakout season. Would be all for it. Just don't see it happening. Think Dame gets dealt first instead.

Also, for pick #3 I really want Scoot, and CHA probably takes him at #2.

[blazza18]

Move Jrue this offseason and Middleton next offseason should be the plan.

[RiotPunch]

MKE: #2, Hayward, Lewis, Temple
CHA: Zion
NOP: Jrue, Portis

Gets weird with Hayward/Middleton, but we secure Scoot. Would Jordan be able to resist LaMelo+Zion?

[midranger]

Remember, this is Hollinger speculating on #3 plus Simons. He also said Donte should get a 4/$99 contract.

I don't see Portland doing the deal for either Jrue or Middleton. Simons is only 24 and just had his breakout season. Would be all for it. Just don't see it happening. Think Dame gets dealt first instead.

Also, for pick #3 I really want Scoot, and CHA probably takes him at #2.

Simons and #3 is the Jaylen Brown package

[paulpressey25]

Remember, this is Hollinger speculating on #3 plus Simons. He also said Donte should get a 4/$99 contract.

I don't see Portland doing the deal for either Jrue or Middleton. Simons is only 24 and just had his breakout season. Would be all for it. Just don't see it happening. Think Dame gets dealt first instead.

Also, for pick #3 I really want Scoot, and CHA probably takes him at #2.

Simons and #3 is the Jaylen Brown package

There we go. That's the deal. That makes sense. It ain't for Middleton or Jrue.

[Plossum]

Move Jrue this offseason and Middleton next offseason should be the plan.

That's not much of a plan though. The pieces coming back matter a lot given we're in a contending window. I'm all for getting a bit younger and more atheltic, but we've gotta stop pretending we can get better by moving on from Midds and Jrue.

[yb90]

I could see Simons and another piece for Brown if the Celtics continue to get dusted. I doubt they would need the number 3 pick but who knows

[Plossum]

Do PDX really want to trade for Brown though? He's supermax eligible and can sign for 5/295 million this offseason. Then you've got Lillard and Brown on the team making a combined $95mill next year with a punitive new CBA about to start.

In saying that, Portland's cap sheet in in excellent health. They could prob afford to bring in Brown, re-sign Grant and still have space to fill out the roster with decent role guys. It might be a goer, albeit Boston has been very reticent to break up the Tatum/Brown core.

[blazza18]

Move Jrue this offseason and Middleton next offseason should be the plan.

That's not much of a plan though. The pieces coming back matter a lot given we're in a contending window. I'm all for getting a bit younger and more atheltic, but we've gotta stop pretending we can get better by moving on from Midds and Jrue.

We just got knocked out of the first round after being knocked out of the second round. Gotta stop thinking we can't improve on that.

[Plossum]

Move Jrue this offseason and Middleton next offseason should be the plan.

That's not much of a plan though. The pieces coming back matter a lot given we're in a contending window. I'm all for getting a bit younger and more atheltic, but we've gotta stop pretending we can get better by moving on from Midds and Jrue.

We just got knocked out of the first round after being knocked out of the second round. Gotta stop thinking we can't improve on that.

And we've had bad luck with injuries in both those years. Gotta stop thinking we can't get back to a Championship level team by holding onto a proven Championship core in Jrue, Midds and Giannis. I'm not saying that's the only reason we lost to the Heat but it sure doesn't help when you're MVP breaks his back in game 1.