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

[GoldenAntlers]

I'm in the Giannis isn't going anywhere camp.

[Coach Carter]

I take you back to 2017, where we took DJ. Collins, OG and D White were all available. The last two hurt especially. Imagine OG on this team...Or D White, you wouldn't have to trade Jrue for Dame. Some will say it was Horst 1st year, okay but he continued to stink it up. Even when he got one right, DDV, he ends up trading him away. Horst needs to be locked out of any future draft meeting rooms. Dude has done enough damage. He's the reason we're in this mess.

[Profound23]

I'm in the Giannis isn't going anywhere camp.

If he doesn't leave this year then I think Giannis retires a Buck. This next season is going to be a completely lost season. No Dame, no trade assets from trading away Dame, still over the cap. Not many moves to make. Lopez probably walks. Bobby might walk. This is going to be the worst roster in the NBA if you take Giannis off of it barring a miracle move.

If he stays for that then he will stay for anything.

[DanoMac]

Hollinger:

Instead, the Bucks should be looking to get in the lottery this June as part of any trade, kick-starting things right now.

The most obvious candidate is Houston. The Rockets can offer an electrifying mini-Giannis in Amen Thompson, salivating draft picks in the form of a 2025 lottery pick from the Suns, unprotected Phoenix firsts in 2027 and 2029 (the latter of which is the better of Phoenix’s or Dallas’) and enough salary-matching flotsam to offset Antetokounmpo’s incoming $54.6 million and get a deal to the finish line.

Brooklyn is the other candidate, with enough cap room to swallow other Milwaukee contracts (maybe not Lillard’s, but could the Nets take Connaughton and Kuzma?). The Nets can’t put a talent like Thompson in a trade, but they have four firsts in 2025 (likely pick Nos. 6, 19, 26 and 27), an unprotected Suns swap in 2028, three unprotected future firsts from the Knicks and all of their own future draft picks available in a trade. The combined cap relief and draft capital is a pretty rare package, especially with the Bucks’ recent tax issues.

No other team can match the Nets and Rockets on draft capital unless Oklahoma City decides to get in the game, and I’m skeptical the Thunder would pursue this once the price became clear.

However, two other places the Bucks could look for a partner are San Antonio and Toronto. No, Bucks fans, you’re not getting Victor Wembanyama for Giannis. But you might get Stephon Castle. The Spurs also have two 2025 lottery picks (their own and Atlanta’s), an unprotected 2027 pick from Atlanta and several swaps, plus they can deal their own picks in 2029 and 2031. Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes would be the salary ballast. If Antetokounmpo was OK going to any non-glamour market, this is probably the one where the allure is clear (Wemby-Giannis!) and the trade assets make sense.

Finally, there’s Toronto, where team president Masai Ujiri has been rumored to be scheming ways to get Giannis since roughly forever. The trade equation here seems pretty simple: Toronto’s 2025 lottery pick and Scottie Barnes, plus whatever other draft considerations the Bucks would want to level out the deal. (The Raptors have all their future firsts to put in a trade.)

Those four teams are the favorites, but the Bucks will get calls from all 29 if they make Antetokounmpo available. Even without access to their own future picks, the Bucks are in such a bad spot that the only logical move is to bang the gavel on a Giannis bidding war and rebuild with the spoils.

Lost respect for Hollinger with this one. Dude dropped this within 2 minutes of the final buzzer on Tuesday. Body was still warm.

[German Athens]

If the Thunder wouldn’t offer Chet + Jalen for Giannis, they’re dumb.

You want to fully end this parity era? Put Shai and Giannis together. They’d win multiple championships and would have a dynastic reign. OKC would still have multiple 1sts and really great depth. No one would beat that team.

Fans are obsessed with timelines and youth, to a fault. Keeping Jalen and Chet together would be far more expensive than having Giannis in like 2 years.

[BUCKnation]

I take you back to 2017, where we took DJ. Collins, OG and D White were all available. The last two hurt especially. Imagine OG on this team...Or D White, you wouldn't have to trade Jrue for Dame. Some will say it was Horst 1st year, okay but he continued to stink it up. Even when he got one right, DDV, he ends up trading him away. Horst needs to be locked out of any future draft meeting rooms. Dude has done enough damage. He's the reason we're in this mess.

You still would've traded for Jrue. White was on the fringe of Boston's rotation even the year they traded a first for him.

[brewbucks]

Damian Lillard Reportedly Could've Been Focus of Bucks Trade Talks Before Injury

https://br.app.link/JI062h2b1Sb

Before star point guard Damian Lillard tore his Achilles tendon in Game 4 of their first-round series loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks reportedly planned to explore whether it would've been best to trade him this offseason.

According to The Athletic's Eric Nehm and Sam Amick, "Had Lillard remained healthy, and had the Bucks still fallen in the first round, league sources say there would have been discussions about whether Lillard wanted to remain in Milwaukee."

Nehm and Amick explained that Lillard and star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo showed signs of improvement in their connection throughout the season, but it wasn't enough to overcome the team's roster deficiencies. The Bucks finished sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 48-34 record and struggled to keep up against elite teams, leading to questions about whether Lillard should remain part of the team's future.

"The relationship between Antetokounmpo and Lillard is strong, as is the respect level, but the imperfections of their on-court pairing remained in their second season together," Nehm and Amick wrote. "And with the group’s collective limitations growing more evident by the month, a conversation was looming about whether Lillard and the Bucks might be better off parting ways."

[SupremeHustle]

I don't want to trade Giannis but I'm not mad at some of the trades you guys are throwing out there. Not mad at all.

[SupremeHustle]

Damian Lillard Reportedly Could've Been Focus of Bucks Trade Talks Before Injury

https://br.app.link/JI062h2b1Sb

Before star point guard Damian Lillard tore his Achilles tendon in Game 4 of their first-round series loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Milwaukee Bucks reportedly planned to explore whether it would've been best to trade him this offseason.

According to The Athletic's Eric Nehm and Sam Amick, "Had Lillard remained healthy, and had the Bucks still fallen in the first round, league sources say there would have been discussions about whether Lillard wanted to remain in Milwaukee."

Nehm and Amick explained that Lillard and star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo showed signs of improvement in their connection throughout the season, but it wasn't enough to overcome the team's roster deficiencies. The Bucks finished sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 48-34 record and struggled to keep up against elite teams, leading to questions about whether Lillard should remain part of the team's future.

"The relationship between Antetokounmpo and Lillard is strong, as is the respect level, but the imperfections of their on-court pairing remained in their second season together," Nehm and Amick wrote. "And with the group’s collective limitations growing more evident by the month, a conversation was looming about whether Lillard and the Bucks might be better off parting ways."

They definitely would have tried to move Dame.

[buckboy]

Hollinger:

Instead, the Bucks should be looking to get in the lottery this June as part of any trade, kick-starting things right now.

The most obvious candidate is Houston. The Rockets can offer an electrifying mini-Giannis in Amen Thompson, salivating draft picks in the form of a 2025 lottery pick from the Suns, unprotected Phoenix firsts in 2027 and 2029 (the latter of which is the better of Phoenix’s or Dallas’) and enough salary-matching flotsam to offset Antetokounmpo’s incoming $54.6 million and get a deal to the finish line.

Brooklyn is the other candidate, with enough cap room to swallow other Milwaukee contracts (maybe not Lillard’s, but could the Nets take Connaughton and Kuzma?). The Nets can’t put a talent like Thompson in a trade, but they have four firsts in 2025 (likely pick Nos. 6, 19, 26 and 27), an unprotected Suns swap in 2028, three unprotected future firsts from the Knicks and all of their own future draft picks available in a trade. The combined cap relief and draft capital is a pretty rare package, especially with the Bucks’ recent tax issues.

No other team can match the Nets and Rockets on draft capital unless Oklahoma City decides to get in the game, and I’m skeptical the Thunder would pursue this once the price became clear.

However, two other places the Bucks could look for a partner are San Antonio and Toronto. No, Bucks fans, you’re not getting Victor Wembanyama for Giannis. But you might get Stephon Castle. The Spurs also have two 2025 lottery picks (their own and Atlanta’s), an unprotected 2027 pick from Atlanta and several swaps, plus they can deal their own picks in 2029 and 2031. Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes would be the salary ballast. If Antetokounmpo was OK going to any non-glamour market, this is probably the one where the allure is clear (Wemby-Giannis!) and the trade assets make sense.

Finally, there’s Toronto, where team president Masai Ujiri has been rumored to be scheming ways to get Giannis since roughly forever. The trade equation here seems pretty simple: Toronto’s 2025 lottery pick and Scottie Barnes, plus whatever other draft considerations the Bucks would want to level out the deal. (The Raptors have all their future firsts to put in a trade.)

Those four teams are the favorites, but the Bucks will get calls from all 29 if they make Antetokounmpo available. Even without access to their own future picks, the Bucks are in such a bad spot that the only logical move is to bang the gavel on a Giannis bidding war and rebuild with the spoils.

Yeah no thanks (like not even close) unless he wants out.

[buckboy]

I'm surprised Atlanta isn't thrown out more with Giannis. I'm sure they'd love to pair Trae with a star like Giannis. How much worse of a prospect is a guy like Dyson Daniels than Amen Thompson? They got a recent 19 year old #1 pick who showed some real promise. Jalen Johnson before the injury was showing another step to his game. They have a boatload of picks in the cupboard.

Giannis for Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, and Zaccarie Risacher would work on July 1st.

And like 6 firsts i hope.

And I'd still pass.

[German Athens]

If the crown jewel of the Atlanta package is a guy coming off a season ending injury, I’d sure as hell hope we could do better.

[Serge28]

Is this correct?

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2025/02/07/milwaukee-bucks-future-nba-draft-picks-how-many-do-they-have/78285861007/

2025
First round: None (originally owed to New Orleans as part of 2020 trade for Jrue Holiday).

Second round: The Bucks will receive the second-best of Washington's three second-round picks (via Detroit, Phoenix and Golden State) as part of the Khris Middleton trade. Their own second-round pick was originally traded to Cleveland for the draft rights to İlkan Karaman in 2020.

[emunney]

Is this correct?

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2025/02/07/milwaukee-bucks-future-nba-draft-picks-how-many-do-they-have/78285861007/

2025
First round: None (originally owed to New Orleans as part of 2020 trade for Jrue Holiday).

Second round: The Bucks will receive the second-best of Washington's three second-round picks (via Detroit, Phoenix and Golden State) as part of the Khris Middleton trade. Their own second-round pick was originally traded to Cleveland for the draft rights to İlkan Karaman in 2020.

Yes, we're picking 47th (Detroit's pick).

[machu46]

Hollinger:

Instead, the Bucks should be looking to get in the lottery this June as part of any trade, kick-starting things right now.

The most obvious candidate is Houston. The Rockets can offer an electrifying mini-Giannis in Amen Thompson, salivating draft picks in the form of a 2025 lottery pick from the Suns, unprotected Phoenix firsts in 2027 and 2029 (the latter of which is the better of Phoenix’s or Dallas’) and enough salary-matching flotsam to offset Antetokounmpo’s incoming $54.6 million and get a deal to the finish line.

Brooklyn is the other candidate, with enough cap room to swallow other Milwaukee contracts (maybe not Lillard’s, but could the Nets take Connaughton and Kuzma?). The Nets can’t put a talent like Thompson in a trade, but they have four firsts in 2025 (likely pick Nos. 6, 19, 26 and 27), an unprotected Suns swap in 2028, three unprotected future firsts from the Knicks and all of their own future draft picks available in a trade. The combined cap relief and draft capital is a pretty rare package, especially with the Bucks’ recent tax issues.

No other team can match the Nets and Rockets on draft capital unless Oklahoma City decides to get in the game, and I’m skeptical the Thunder would pursue this once the price became clear.

However, two other places the Bucks could look for a partner are San Antonio and Toronto. No, Bucks fans, you’re not getting Victor Wembanyama for Giannis. But you might get Stephon Castle. The Spurs also have two 2025 lottery picks (their own and Atlanta’s), an unprotected 2027 pick from Atlanta and several swaps, plus they can deal their own picks in 2029 and 2031. Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes would be the salary ballast. If Antetokounmpo was OK going to any non-glamour market, this is probably the one where the allure is clear (Wemby-Giannis!) and the trade assets make sense.

Finally, there’s Toronto, where team president Masai Ujiri has been rumored to be scheming ways to get Giannis since roughly forever. The trade equation here seems pretty simple: Toronto’s 2025 lottery pick and Scottie Barnes, plus whatever other draft considerations the Bucks would want to level out the deal. (The Raptors have all their future firsts to put in a trade.)

Those four teams are the favorites, but the Bucks will get calls from all 29 if they make Antetokounmpo available. Even without access to their own future picks, the Bucks are in such a bad spot that the only logical move is to bang the gavel on a Giannis bidding war and rebuild with the spoils.

I'm surprised Atlanta isn't thrown out more with Giannis. I'm sure they'd love to pair Trae with a star like Giannis. How much worse of a prospect is a guy like Dyson Daniels than Amen Thompson? They got a recent 19 year old #1 pick who showed some real promise. Jalen Johnson before the injury was showing another step to his game. They have a boatload of picks in the cupboard.

It does make some sense. I think at least part of it though is that Atlanta has seemingly been trying to lean into a rebuild and seem more inclined to trade Trae than to trade the young pieces to help Trae. I do think a Trae-Giannis pairing is potentially diabolical though and while I'd prefer a guy like Sengun, Jalen Williams, etc., Jalen Johnson, Risacher, and Daniels isn't a horrible start.

[mlloyd10]

Saw an idea to lessen the trade value for HOU, while getting the Bucks some flexibility

Rockets Get: Giannis and Dame
Bucks get: FVV/Green/Smith/PHX 2025 1st/2027 1st ( BRK SWAP ) / 2031 1st

[SupremeHustle]

About to look at some Reed Sheppard G-league highlights just in case.

[mlloyd10]

There isn’t any upside to trading Giannis if it’s still going to take ~5+ years to build a team worth watching. Just accept our fate and go down with the ship. I don’t dream of being the Orlando Magic or Houston Rockets.

Thompson and Williams are not #1s and aren’t leading a team anywhere anyway so these teams being hesitant to moving them is just an instant skip, not worth any negotiation. Flagg at least has the hype of #1 pick but I’m not sure I see a top 10 player with him.

I’m not that desperate to want to suck again and pine for lottery picks, we likely won’t see another player like Giannis for a very long time.

Please tell me how Williams isn't a #1 guy?

[aboveAverage]

We really had terrible luck with the Dame injury. We could’ve gotten some decent assets for him this offseason and used this as something we could sell to Giannis. That would’ve really helped us in a retool.

Hopefully Giannis is willing to wait one more year until we can trade Dame next offseason.

[German Athens]

Saw an idea to lessen the trade value for HOU, while getting the Bucks some flexibility

Rockets Get: Giannis and Dame
Bucks get: FVV/Green/Smith/PHX 2025 1st/2027 1st ( BRK SWAP ) / 2031 1st

That’s significantly worse than the Sengun + 4 1sts deal that Houston fans are offering. What does that deal accomplish for us?

That would be horrendous.