Bucks News, Transactions, Trade Ideas - Trade Deadline 2/6/25 - 2:00 p.m. CDT

[Mtsportsfan]

Not the biggest fan of Midds and his contract, have been saying that for a few years that I wanted this team to get , younger ,longer and quicker to compete with the likes of Boston and a few other teams. But I'm not trading for a older and malcontent Butler , absolutely don't want to gut our team to do it! Modes might not be what he was in the past but overall he is a good teammate and has a undeniable chemistry with Giannis! The move to come off the bench seems to be working well for now!
Someone tell me why in the trade talks for Butler , that we have to give up so much, the Heat have zero leverage in my opinion. I'm guessing that it is cap , I'm definitely not a capoligist!

[Fotis St]

Bucks need to get Dame and Giannis and probably Brooks minutes down. Dame is at 36 and Giannis nearly 35. Bud had everyone under 33 during the championship year.

We had serious chemistry issues. Its been last 4 games we have been looking like an actual team. I love Khris coming off the bench. We are definitely not in a position to start cutting down Giannis and Dame minutes to "rest" them and mess up our chemistry again and our confidence by losing games. So the 2021 team had years of chemistry already, 2025 Bucks is still a project trying to succeed.

[raferfenix]

The degree of chemistry Khris and Giannis have is definitely worth considering in the Jimmy calculus.

Middleton as a 6th man point forward Toni Kukoc holds plenty of value to this team.

And who knows maybe his recovery is on the upswing. Ankles will probably continue to get better question is whether he has a setback somewhere else.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

ben simmons, kyrie irving, james harden, jimmy butler

theres a reason talks drag on

Right? I don't see any value. Let the team get it ironed out. A little patience can be afforded after the quick pull of Griff.

Sent from my CPH2417 using RealGM mobile app

That's cute and all thinking the team will iron itself out, reality is this is a win now season. Absolutely priority #1 is to have the best team on the court. We are going to be disappointed if we just keep saying well let's let them iron it out. Dame and Giannis is a pairing that's still clunky but you get one more stud in there we should be great, Middleton used to be that guy and still might be once he's "healthy". But either way, we desperately need help


As for Butler I'm torn. He's a great player having a down season and malcontent. He could be one of those guys you trade for and he gives you PJ Tucker level energy on defense and Middleton level offense (aside from 3pt shooting-which would cause spacing issues with current roster) I'd only trade for Butler if he truly wanted to be here and Giannis and Dame sign off on it

if the goal is to solve the "clunkiness" of giannis and dame you dont trade the perfect complementary piece.... for a selfish malcontent whose play has diminished while at the same time views himself as a number 1 and wants to get paid like a number 1 and has never succeeded anywhere in his entire career if he wasnt the number 1.

i understand the allure of watching butler in a bucks uniform for curiosity sake "just to see"....but the risk wed be taking trading away our culture, whats left of our picks, and our best playoff performer over the last two years strikes me as desperate.

we should not be desperate. were finally healthy and 21-9 over our last 30. 22-9 if you count winning the midseason tourney. are we guilty of cruising a bit during a long season and looking like ass when we do? sure.

but stick with what we got. the core of this team is giannis/middleton. those two mfers are where chemistry starts. we know what those 2 can do. only way im trading middleton is if somebody tells me something about his medicals i dont know.

[ShootingtheJ]

Right? I don't see any value. Let the team get it ironed out. A little patience can be afforded after the quick pull of Griff.

Sent from my CPH2417 using RealGM mobile app

That's cute and all thinking the team will iron itself out, reality is this is a win now season. Absolutely priority #1 is to have the best team on the court. We are going to be disappointed if we just keep saying well let's let them iron it out. Dame and Giannis is a pairing that's still clunky but you get one more stud in there we should be great, Middleton used to be that guy and still might be once he's "healthy". But either way, we desperately need help


As for Butler I'm torn. He's a great player having a down season and malcontent. He could be one of those guys you trade for and he gives you PJ Tucker level energy on defense and Middleton level offense (aside from 3pt shooting-which would cause spacing issues with current roster) I'd only trade for Butler if he truly wanted to be here and Giannis and Dame sign off on it

if the goal is to solve the "clunkiness" of giannis and dame you dont trade the perfect complementary piece.... for a selfish malcontent whose play has diminished while at the same time views himself as a number 1 and wants to get paid like a number 1 and has never succeeded anywhere in his entire career if he wasnt the number 1.

i understand the allure of watching butler in a bucks uniform for curiosity sake "just to see"....but the risk wed be taking trading away our culture, whats left of our picks, and our best playoff performer over the last two years stikes me as desperate.

we should not be desperate. were finally healthy and 21-9 over our last 30. 22-9 if you count winning the midseason tourney. are we guilty of cruising a bit during a long season and looking like ass when we do? sure.

stick with what we got. the core of this team is giannis/middleton. those two mfers are where chemistry starts. we know what those 2 can do

Agree 100%. We don't need to shake the team up, we need to make it better. Cutting out the good parts won't do that.

[msiris]

Pass on Jimmy. I just don't think he makes us that much better. Would love to mov on from Mids but only for picks and younger guys with good upside, but nobody going to do that.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

if butler could be had for a brook/bobby/patc kind of package which maybe theres a way were not considering....
and he was openly stating WE were his target.....
and he wasnt making absolutely moronic salary demands with literally zero self awareness....
and we had a plan to add another big somehow

then yeah sure....i could be convinced to take a less wildly dangerous swing on jimmy butler than the ridiculousness currently being proposed

but trading khris middleton...let alone valuable depth and youth or picks.... for another late career gary payton/ stephen jackson 2.0 type guy whose mouth and ego has become massively bigger than any aspect of his actual game....that is a non starter for me.

[pilprin]

I am for any trade (ok almost any trade) that gets us under the second apron. Without draft picks we have few options.

[Frank Nova]

The degree of chemistry Khris and Giannis have is definitely worth considering in the Jimmy calculus.

Middleton as a 6th man point forward Toni Kukoc holds plenty of value to this team.

And who knows maybe his recovery is on the upswing. Ankles will probably continue to get better question is whether he has a setback somewhere else.

I don’t hate the overall idea of “babying” khris and basically holding his hand into the playoffs where he can be unleashed as a full time player. That’s a gamble but one that could pay huge dividends if it works out the way we need/want it to.

But I think this team is deep enough to handle the aftermath of a Jimmy trade where he becomes the 3rd alpha in the lineup and not have any issues there. I see ppl talking about the lack of spacing Jimmy would create but I disagree. The easy and obvious answer would be replacing Jackson Jr in the starting lineup and inserting a shooter like Green or Trent. Jimmy being able to handle PG duties at times and play small ball 4 at other times would create a real monster that I think could put the team over the top. Middleton is essentially that guy too, it’s just a matter of who you trust more in that regard. Do you take the leap of faith and risk disrupting the chemistry mid season or do you stay the course and hope for the best? To be or not to be…

[raferfenix]

What do we think about the Nets as a trade partner?

Reportedly Brooklyn’s insisting on ending contacts. Brook is on one, Bobby probably takes his player option, and Middleton could as well.

Not sure of the likelihood the Bucks could or would pull Cam Johnson or Claxton but either way we could play a facilitating role potentially in a multi-team deal.

We read that Sean Marks & co. still want two firsts and “stuff,” as Jake Fischer has said, for Cam Johnson but want that “stuff” — returning players — to be on expiring deals. That sounds like a tough bill to fill.

On Friday, in fact, both ESPN and The Athletic wrote about interest in Cam Johnson, with a little added discussion of whether Nic Claxton might also be available despite having signed a four-year, $100 million contract in the off-season.

Bottom line: The Nets aren’t giving anyone away. The price remains high. Still, Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps write that NBA executives believe C.J. is the player most likely to be moved before the deadline with Clax also seen as available.

https://www.netsdaily.com/2025/1/17/24345880/rumor-roundup-cam-johnson-and-nic-claxton-have-high-price-tags

[yb90]

The degree of chemistry Khris and Giannis have is definitely worth considering in the Jimmy calculus.

Middleton as a 6th man point forward Toni Kukoc holds plenty of value to this team.

And who knows maybe his recovery is on the upswing. Ankles will probably continue to get better question is whether he has a setback somewhere else.

Chemistry and Loyalty are the two keys of why the Bucks should not trade Midds. However, If you compare the two players Jimmy will grade out better than Midds everytime. Middleton shoots a higher volume of 3pt shots but Jimmy gets to the line more. Offensively, Jimmy shot volume is on par with a 3rd option which is good. I think chemistry issues happen when you take high volume shooters and reduce their roles. Middleton is more of a chucker than Jimmy. Khris might be the better passer but if he is it's only marginally better. They both can initiate offense and run PnRs high or on the wing. The fit should be seamless. It's tempting to grab the more efficient offensively player who is the better defender but it does create a whole when you include Portis into the trade.

I have real questions about Midds on defense in the playoffs. Khris is smart and will gets some steals but he can be bullied by more physically players and dusted by faster players.

Who do you trust more to defend Tatum, Brown, Banchero, Wagner, Mobley, Jalen, OG, Bridges, or Siakim?

[LUKE23]

Chemistry and Loyalty are the two keys of why the Bucks should not trade Midds. However, If you compare the two players Jimmy will grade out better than Midds everytime. Middleton shoots a higher volume of 3pt shots but Jimmy gets to the line more. Offensively, Jimmy shot volume is on par with a 3rd option which is good. I think chemistry issues happen when you take high volume shooters and reduce their roles. Middleton is more of a chucker than Jimmy. Khris might be the better passer but if he is it's only marginally better. They both can initiate offense and run PnRs high or on the wing. The fit should be seamless. It's tempting to grab the more efficient offensively player who is the better defender but it does create a whole when you include Portis into the trade.

I have real questions about Midds on defense in the playoffs. Khris is smart and will gets some steals but he can be bullied by more physically players and dusted by faster players.

Who do you trust more to defend Tatum, Brown, Banchero, Wagner, Mobley, Jalen, OG, Bridges, or Siakim?

This is mitigated with Middleton moving to the bench. Bucks are 8th in defensive rating on the season right now, and better than that recently. Jackson, Trent, Prince, Green are all capable wing defenders. Giannis is still a stud defender when locked in. Lopez is still good at the rim.

The key to me is getting to the small ball lineups on offense. I think our offense is a bigger concern than our defense right now, as absolutely crazy as that sounds.

[LUKE23]

Rollins per 36: 14.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists (2.6 TO), 2.5 steals, 1.3 blocks, .584 TS. Want to see a bigger sample size with him, he's been damn solid.

[-Jragon-]

Chemistry and Loyalty are the two keys of why the Bucks should not trade Midds. However, If you compare the two players Jimmy will grade out better than Midds everytime. Middleton shoots a higher volume of 3pt shots but Jimmy gets to the line more. Offensively, Jimmy shot volume is on par with a 3rd option which is good. I think chemistry issues happen when you take high volume shooters and reduce their roles. Middleton is more of a chucker than Jimmy. Khris might be the better passer but if he is it's only marginally better. They both can initiate offense and run PnRs high or on the wing. The fit should be seamless. It's tempting to grab the more efficient offensively player who is the better defender but it does create a whole when you include Portis into the trade.

I have real questions about Midds on defense in the playoffs. Khris is smart and will gets some steals but he can be bullied by more physically players and dusted by faster players.

Who do you trust more to defend Tatum, Brown, Banchero, Wagner, Mobley, Jalen, OG, Bridges, or Siakim?

This is mitigated with Middleton moving to the bench. Bucks are 8th in defensive rating on the season right now, and better than that recently. Jackson, Trent, Prince, Green are all capable wing defenders. Giannis is still a stud defender when locked in. Lopez is still good at the rim.

The key to me is getting to the small ball lineups on offense. I think our offense is a bigger concern than our defense right now, as absolutely crazy as that sounds.

It's mitigated by moving KM to the bench... sure but that move elevated less talented players to more vital roles. Right now you have nice bench stabilizers Bobby/KM.. but neither can start or really close games at this point even in the regular season. 4th quarter you need defense and guys that have the ball to have a real hope of drawing a foul, making the shot or even getting an "and 1." If you can turn 2 bench guys that can't start or close games and turn them into a guy that can be the number 1 closer on most NBA teams, how do you not pull the trigger. The guys we elevated above KM can resume their bench roles and life is good.

[M-C-G]

if butler could be had for a brook/bobby/patc kind of package

That’s got to be the goal. Add Butler to Dame/Midds/Giannis. Midds can come off the bench as a super 6 man and be a part of a Dame/Trent/Midds/Butler/Giannis line up to close games. That’s the ticket

[M-C-G]

Can anyone confirm what AJ Greens deal is. I thought he was up after this season but I think(?) spotrac has him under contract next season then UFA. Because if we don’t keep his rights, I’d be willing to use him as a piece to get deals done. If we keep his rights, I’d majorly need to rethink that. Just can’t have him walk for nothing on the open market

[raferfenix]

Cam Johnson can’t end up going for this little (especially taking on Huerter’s deal), right?

Bucks do have a big ending contract that could work in a straight swap for him…

Jake Fischer: The Kings potential package of Kevin Huerter, Trey Lyles and a future first-round pick could be the offer to beat roughly two-and-a-half weeks from the deadline. As for the Pacers, they remain a team to watch in the Johnson sweepstakes.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have also shown interest in Johnson. That interest has been preliminary, with the Cavs and Nets yet to have serious discussions.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/278831/Kings-Pacers-Leading-Suitors-For-Cam-Johnson

[ShootingtheJ]

Chemistry and Loyalty are the two keys of why the Bucks should not trade Midds. However, If you compare the two players Jimmy will grade out better than Midds everytime. Middleton shoots a higher volume of 3pt shots but Jimmy gets to the line more. Offensively, Jimmy shot volume is on par with a 3rd option which is good. I think chemistry issues happen when you take high volume shooters and reduce their roles. Middleton is more of a chucker than Jimmy. Khris might be the better passer but if he is it's only marginally better. They both can initiate offense and run PnRs high or on the wing. The fit should be seamless. It's tempting to grab the more efficient offensively player who is the better defender but it does create a whole when you include Portis into the trade.

I have real questions about Midds on defense in the playoffs. Khris is smart and will gets some steals but he can be bullied by more physically players and dusted by faster players.

Who do you trust more to defend Tatum, Brown, Banchero, Wagner, Mobley, Jalen, OG, Bridges, or Siakim?

This is mitigated with Middleton moving to the bench. Bucks are 8th in defensive rating on the season right now, and better than that recently. Jackson, Trent, Prince, Green are all capable wing defenders. Giannis is still a stud defender when locked in. Lopez is still good at the rim.

The key to me is getting to the small ball lineups on offense. I think our offense is a bigger concern than our defense right now, as absolutely crazy as that sounds.

It's mitigated by moving KM to the bench... sure but that move elevated less talented players to more vital roles. Right now you have nice bench stabilizers Bobby/KM.. but neither can start or really close games at this point even in the regular season. 4th quarter you need defense and guys that have the ball to have a real hope of drawing a foul, making the shot or even getting an "and 1." If you can turn 2 bench guys that can't start or close games and turn them into a guy that can be the number 1 closer on most NBA teams, how do you not pull the trigger. The guys we elevated above KM can resume their bench roles and life is good.

KM is a far better defender than Dame, of course he's qualified to close. He's our smartest player too. Dame the one who gets pulled in critical defensive possessions. We need Middleton's smarts on the floor to overcome those terrible Dame late game turnovers.

[ShootingtheJ]

Can anyone confirm what AJ Greens deal is. I thought he was up after this season but I think(?) spotrac has him under contract next season then UFA. Because if we don’t keep his rights, I’d be willing to use him as a piece to get deals done. If we keep his rights, I’d majorly need to rethink that. Just can’t have him walk for nothing on the open market

He's signed through next season, and it's a bargain. We also have his Bird Rights.

[M-C-G]

Can anyone confirm what AJ Greens deal is. I thought he was up after this season but I think(?) spotrac has him under contract next season then UFA. Because if we don’t keep his rights, I’d be willing to use him as a piece to get deals done. If we keep his rights, I’d majorly need to rethink that. Just can’t have him walk for nothing on the open market

He's signed through next season, and it's a bargain. We also have his Bird Rights.

Ok thanks. Yep he is a keeper then.