Bucks News, Transactions and Trade Ideas - 2025 Off-season

[NUMBERICA]

Jazz fan here, I come in peace.

Real tough luck, really sorry to see it. Big fan of Giannis and the ascent of the Bucks.

I wanna take the pulse on an idea (a general outline) that could extend y’all’s window with Giannis because I don’t know how you’re supposed to get anywhere close to equal value back realistically.

Bucks trade:
-Dame
-‘31 and ‘32 swaps

Jazz trade:
-John Collins
-Collin Sexton

The perks for the Bucks
-Collins and Sexton are both really good players (a lot of us don’t particularly want really good players at this time, I think you could even make a case they provide more than a past-prime but healthy Dame with the added depth and athleticism while still providing spacing)
-Collins and Sexton have expiring contracts which could create $70 million in cap space (a comfortable amount more than a max slot) in ‘26-‘27 while staying competitive next season
-the trade saves $9 million next season which creates enough room to comfortably sign Lopez to a one-year deal and comfortably stay under the tax (ownership will definitely care about this), if desired.

Would you say yes to this?

[emunney]

Ok sure, it's Fansided, but this is an interesting thought to throw out there. Miami's in much worse shape than we are. Maybe, just maybe....

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/giannis-and-the-bucks-might-only-be-saved-by-a-heat-full-rebuild/ar-AA1DRtjP?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=c94076b4cd894ace91393efba83039a9&ei=10

Losing Jimmy Butler may have been the final blow to their old identity. Now it’s time to build a new one.

And, of course, if the Heat blow it up, the Bucks could be right there to snatch up Spoelstra and finally put an elite coach with Giannis and start rebuilding in earnest. Spoelstra and Giannis together aren't enough to put the Bucks over the top but it's a stable core, one that could attract talent and free agents and help give a Milwaukee a leg up as they change the roster.

If they hired Bob Myers (or another name with significant successes) as POBO and Spoelstra as coach, I'd feel good about the buzz that would generate in the league even if I think Myers specifically gets credit for a lot of stuff he didn't do.

[soxperry]

Ok sure, it's Fansided, but this is an interesting thought to throw out there. Miami's in much worse shape than we are. Maybe, just maybe....

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/giannis-and-the-bucks-might-only-be-saved-by-a-heat-full-rebuild/ar-AA1DRtjP?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=c94076b4cd894ace91393efba83039a9&ei=10

Losing Jimmy Butler may have been the final blow to their old identity. Now it’s time to build a new one.

And, of course, if the Heat blow it up, the Bucks could be right there to snatch up Spoelstra and finally put an elite coach with Giannis and start rebuilding in earnest. Spoelstra and Giannis together aren't enough to put the Bucks over the top but it's a stable core, one that could attract talent and free agents and help give a Milwaukee a leg up as they change the roster.

I dont think hes leaving Miami to come to Milwaukee. Maybe Brooklyn? He just seems like a big city guy. Thats my gut reaction.

But if we can grab him and somehow Bam too, im in

[tedbrogen]

Jazz fan here, I come in peace.

Real tough luck, really sorry to see it. Big fan of Giannis and the ascent of the Bucks.

I wanna take the pulse on an idea (a general outline) that could extend y’all’s window with Giannis because I don’t know how you’re supposed to get anywhere close to equal value back realistically.

Bucks trade:
-Dame
-‘31 and ‘32 swaps

Jazz trade:
-John Collins
-Collin Sexton

The perks for the Bucks
-Collins and Sexton are both really good players (a lot of us don’t particularly want really good players at this time, I think you could even make a case they provide more than a past-prime but healthy Dame with the added depth and athleticism while still providing spacing)
-Collins and Sexton have expiring contracts which could create $70 million in cap space (a comfortable amount more than a max slot) in ‘26-‘27 while staying competitive next season
-the trade saves $9 million next season which creates enough room to comfortably sign Lopez to a one-year deal and comfortably stay under the tax (ownership will definitely care about this)

Would you say yes to this?

No. Bucks are not going to trade any future firsts since they have no assurance Giannis stays beyond 2027. Bucks can easily duck the tax simply even while paying Dame by letting Lopez walk.

Why pay out in future swaps when Dame’s contract becomes a positive in the 2026 offseason as a giant expiring?

Plus, this is all pointless since Giannis is going to be traded this offseason. So they’ll just wait out Dame’s contract.

In conclusion, I think your magic underwear are too tight.

[NUMBERICA]

Jazz fan here, I come in peace.

Real tough luck, really sorry to see it. Big fan of Giannis and the ascent of the Bucks.

I wanna take the pulse on an idea (a general outline) that could extend y’all’s window with Giannis because I don’t know how you’re supposed to get anywhere close to equal value back realistically.

Bucks trade:
-Dame
-‘31 and ‘32 swaps

Jazz trade:
-John Collins
-Collin Sexton

The perks for the Bucks
-Collins and Sexton are both really good players (a lot of us don’t particularly want really good players at this time, I think you could even make a case they provide more than a past-prime but healthy Dame with the added depth and athleticism while still providing spacing)
-Collins and Sexton have expiring contracts which could create $70 million in cap space (a comfortable amount more than a max slot) in ‘26-‘27 while staying competitive next season
-the trade saves $9 million next season which creates enough room to comfortably sign Lopez to a one-year deal and comfortably stay under the tax (ownership will definitely care about this), if desired.

Would you say yes to this?

Things I just want to also comment on:

My condolences on your coaching struggles. I second the sentiment that a change has to happen.

I’ve seen some banter and want to clarify something: Waiving and stretching Dame doesn’t meaningfully get you under the cap (you’d have about $16 million in cap space which is a little more than the MLE which you’d lose). At best, it marginally improves your prospects on the market to help the Bucks next year to add talent and would almost certainly be a bad move in the long term as the team would have $25 million on its cap sheet for the next FIVE YEARS.

[DanoMac]

Ok sure, it's Fansided, but this is an interesting thought to throw out there. Miami's in much worse shape than we are. Maybe, just maybe....

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/giannis-and-the-bucks-might-only-be-saved-by-a-heat-full-rebuild/ar-AA1DRtjP?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=c94076b4cd894ace91393efba83039a9&ei=10

Losing Jimmy Butler may have been the final blow to their old identity. Now it’s time to build a new one.

And, of course, if the Heat blow it up, the Bucks could be right there to snatch up Spoelstra and finally put an elite coach with Giannis and start rebuilding in earnest. Spoelstra and Giannis together aren't enough to put the Bucks over the top but it's a stable core, one that could attract talent and free agents and help give a Milwaukee a leg up as they change the roster.

Would honestly mean more than any free agent or trade acquisition

[BroncoBuck]

I will say this about Doc, he’s the one guy that got Giannis to finally stop shooting threes.

[Ron Swanson]

Waiving and stretching Dame would be monumentally dumb and I don't know why anyone's even discussing it. Just eat the salary next season and depending on what he looks like when he comes back, then he's a massive expiring that you can either trade or buy out. Absolute worst case scenario is waiving/stretching the pain out over the next 4-5 years and whatever cap room you open up is moot because you ended up trading Giannis anyways.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

Jazz fan here, I come in peace.

Real tough luck, really sorry to see it. Big fan of Giannis and the ascent of the Bucks.

I wanna take the pulse on an idea (a general outline) that could extend y’all’s window with Giannis because I don’t know how you’re supposed to get anywhere close to equal value back realistically.

Bucks trade:
-Dame
-‘31 and ‘32 swaps

Jazz trade:
-John Collins
-Collin Sexton

The perks for the Bucks
-Collins and Sexton are both really good players (a lot of us don’t particularly want really good players at this time, I think you could even make a case they provide more than a past-prime but healthy Dame with the added depth and athleticism while still providing spacing)
-Collins and Sexton have expiring contracts which could create $70 million in cap space (a comfortable amount more than a max slot) in ‘26-‘27 while staying competitive next season
-the trade saves $9 million next season which creates enough room to comfortably sign Lopez to a one-year deal and comfortably stay under the tax (ownership will definitely care about this), if desired.

Would you say yes to this?

would you guys actually consider this?

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

Bucks receive: John Collins/ Collin Sexton
Jazz receive: Dame/ 31 pick swap/ 32 pick swap
---------
Bucks receive: Zion Williamson
Pelicans receive: Kyle Kuzma, Pat Connaughton, Chris Livingston, 2028 First Round Draft Pick (MIL with NOH right to swap), 2031 First Round Draft Pick (MIL), and 2031 Second Round Draft Pick (MIL)
-----------

saw the zion deal proposed on my yahoo feed.

its curious but if you combined the jazz fans deal with the yahoo deal we might be onto something. plenty of risk involved but when have we been averse to risk

gaurds.....kpj/sexton/GTJ/AJG/rollins
middles....zion/giannis/ prince or whoever
bigs....portis/collins/sims/ lopez cheap

i think the play here would be to play giannis in his old championship role..... try to put kpj/sexton/zion in some sort of jrue/midds secondary offensive spots for that to happen.

defensively we'd be about the same but it seems like a better group and mentality than sticking him next to a ball pounder like dame. if anything like this was remotely possible i could get on board.

[DingleJerry]

Jazz fan here, I come in peace.

Real tough luck, really sorry to see it. Big fan of Giannis and the ascent of the Bucks.

I wanna take the pulse on an idea (a general outline) that could extend y’all’s window with Giannis because I don’t know how you’re supposed to get anywhere close to equal value back realistically.

Bucks trade:
-Dame
-‘31 and ‘32 swaps

Jazz trade:
-John Collins
-Collin Sexton

The perks for the Bucks
-Collins and Sexton are both really good players (a lot of us don’t particularly want really good players at this time, I think you could even make a case they provide more than a past-prime but healthy Dame with the added depth and athleticism while still providing spacing)
-Collins and Sexton have expiring contracts which could create $70 million in cap space (a comfortable amount more than a max slot) in ‘26-‘27 while staying competitive next season
-the trade saves $9 million next season which creates enough room to comfortably sign Lopez to a one-year deal and comfortably stay under the tax (ownership will definitely care about this), if desired.

Would you say yes to this?

I'd have to think about it more, but I think I'd do it in order to get something out of Dame and out of the contract, Achilles are a big deal especially at his age. I think its allowed to put top 5 protection on swaps too so I think I'd demand that or at least top 3 protection. But this of course would be contingent on Giannis telling me he still wants to stay and getting him two rotation players like that for next year helps him at least have a chance. So basically if a move like that keeps him happy so he stays, thus not risking the next few years picks/swaps being painful losses. You'd kind of be swapping late 20s pick risk for 31/32 pick risk. If he says he's out, that changes everything and I'd have to re-think

But that's just me. I do think Bucks management probably does that deal or something similar because they are clearly in the mode of hanging onto any sliver of hope they can, basically it just digs deeper into the going all-in type mode they've been in for years now. I'm not saying they're right in that, its just the vibe I get from them. That they'll perpetually chase fools gold. Which I grant even as someone who is ok with that move, I know you won't win the title still and its fools gold competing. But to me, its someone giving you a chance to get out of Dames contract and at least get something back that can play next year to keep Giannis happy

[tedbrogen]

Trading swaps that far out would be monumentally stupid. Also the Bucks already have Sexton and Collins at home KPJ/Portis.

Also Zion is a horrible fit next to Giannis. Zero spacing. They both need to be the only non shooter on the floor to truly flourish.

I’d rather trade Giannis than either of those scenarios.

[DingleJerry]

Bucks receive: John Collins/ Collin Sexton
Jazz receive: Dame/ 31 pick swap/ 32 pick swap
---------
Bucks receive: Zion Williamson
Pelicans receive: Kyle Kuzma, Pat Connaughton, Chris Livingston, 2028 First Round Draft Pick (MIL with NOH right to swap), 2031 First Round Draft Pick (MIL), and 2031 Second Round Draft Pick (MIL)
-----------

saw the zion deal proposed on my yahoo feed.

its curious but if you combined the jazz fans deal with the yahoo deal we might be onto something. plenty of risk involved but when have we been averse to risk

gaurds.....kpj/sexton/GTJ/AJG/rollins
middles....zion/giannis/ prince or whoever
bigs....portis/collins/sims/ lopez cheap

i think the play here would be to play giannis in his old championship role..... try to put kpj/sexton/zion in some sort of jrue/midds secondary offensive spots for that to happen.

defensively we'd be about the same but it seems like a better group and mentality than sticking him next to a ball pounder like dame. if anything like this was remotely possible i could get on board.

I'd add to shop Portis for wing shooting and athleticism in some way. And shift Giannis to "Big" category. If healthy primary lineup of Giannis at 5, Zion at 4. Then whatever mix of wings/Gs works best

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

i think the idea we could unload dame for pick swaps is insane.... but we just did the same thing with midds so i guess its feasible

[NUMBERICA]

would you guys actually consider this?

Hard to say. Ainge tends to squeeze teams but I think we’ve run out of runway on Collins and Sexton. I’d ideally want one of those picks outright rather than a swap. There’s stuff on the edges to workout, but I think the general idea is really good for all parties.

I forgot to clarify for those that haven’t already pieced it together or don’t already know: if Collins and Sexton workout, you could just re-sign them, and probably on half-decent deals, but having a ton of cap space is a great option to have when you have a perennial MVP on your team.

There’s a fair amount of smoke that the Jazz are gonna try to tank again next year and I don’t think it would be cool to sideline Collins and Sexton again, especially since they’re in contract years. It’s good to do right by your players. Dame also played college in Utah and it might be cool if he finishes his career out here.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

Bucks receive: John Collins/ Collin Sexton
Jazz receive: Dame/ 31 pick swap/ 32 pick swap
---------
Bucks receive: Zion Williamson
Pelicans receive: Kyle Kuzma, Pat Connaughton, Chris Livingston, 2028 First Round Draft Pick (MIL with NOH right to swap), 2031 First Round Draft Pick (MIL), and 2031 Second Round Draft Pick (MIL)
-----------

saw the zion deal proposed on my yahoo feed.

its curious but if you combined the jazz fans deal with the yahoo deal we might be onto something. plenty of risk involved but when have we been averse to risk

gaurds.....kpj/sexton/GTJ/AJG/rollins
middles....zion/giannis/ prince or whoever
bigs....portis/collins/sims/ lopez cheap

i think the play here would be to play giannis in his old championship role..... try to put kpj/sexton/zion in some sort of jrue/midds secondary offensive spots for that to happen.

defensively we'd be about the same but it seems like a better group and mentality than sticking him next to a ball pounder like dame. if anything like this was remotely possible i could get on board.

I'd add to shop Portis for wing shooting and athleticism in some way. And shift Giannis to "Big" category. If healthy primary lineup of Giannis at 5, Zion at 4. Then whatever mix of wings/Gs works best

agreed...that collection of guys could go alot of ways....thats 12 very playable dudes.....we'd have lots of moveable pieces and better salary structure

swanson suggested spoelstra. id imagine if he came aboard...or somebody like him we could still keep a run in us

[tedbrogen]

Everyone is failing to realize the Bucks can duck the luxury tax simply by letting Brook and Bobby walk. You can easily replace their overall contributions by getting guys like Sims who are freely available but can play passable defense.

No need to pay out future assets to shed Dame. Just wait a year and he’s a massive expiring salary.

[DingleJerry]

Keep in mind on picks swaps with Utah that what are the chances Utah is legit good at that point? They have a long way to go considering they'd be in all out tank mode in the 26 season. Plus the West is brutal and they're in Utah without FA draw power. Its not like other scenarios where Giannis going to the team makes the team so good that their picks are trash. Like sure, Bucks could suck by then but its a swap so you're probably still getting a top 15 pick back. If you can get top 3 protection it minimizes the brutal Brooklyn style F up chance

[tedbrogen]

Giannis will be 38 and 39 for those 32/33 seasons. If they traded those picks simply to ride the treadmill, that’s comically stupid.

[MuckyFingers]

Ok sure, it's Fansided, but this is an interesting thought to throw out there. Miami's in much worse shape than we are. Maybe, just maybe....

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/giannis-and-the-bucks-might-only-be-saved-by-a-heat-full-rebuild/ar-AA1DRtjP?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=U531&cvid=c94076b4cd894ace91393efba83039a9&ei=10

Losing Jimmy Butler may have been the final blow to their old identity. Now it’s time to build a new one.

And, of course, if the Heat blow it up, the Bucks could be right there to snatch up Spoelstra and finally put an elite coach with Giannis and start rebuilding in earnest. Spoelstra and Giannis together aren't enough to put the Bucks over the top but it's a stable core, one that could attract talent and free agents and help give a Milwaukee a leg up as they change the roster.

Now you're just trying to hurt me.