Bucks News, Transactions, Trade Ideas

[blazza18]

I can't remember how credible the reports were but they were linked to Kuzma before. They targeted him.

[RiotPunch]

I can't remember how credible the reports were but they were linked to Kuzma before. They targeted him.

There were definitely rumors of interest in Kuzma before this season. Financials obviously came into play, but you don't start the guy at small forward after the fact if you think he's bad at basketball.

[paulpressey25]

Have we ever figured out what the Bucks tax bill and apron penalties would have been if Middleton had finished the year on the roster with us above the 2nd apron?

[ShootingtheJ]

This is all a well and good discussion about what teams would take Kuzma, but I still go back to the fact that there is strong eveidence that Horst liked Kuzma and obviously Doc loves him.

Bottom line, what evidence do we have that Horst and Doc have soured on him? The final game of the season? Doubtful.

Doc also only played Kuzma 16 minutes in playoff game 4, but what really tells us Doc had concerns about Kuz was when he was played in regular season game 82, while every good player sat.

[MickeyDavis]

Have we ever figured out what the Bucks tax bill and apron penalties would have been if Middleton had finished the year on the roster with us above the 2nd apron?

I'd be curious to know too. We know about the other benefits we gained, MLE, trade exception, combining salaries, not having a year count in the 3/5 window, but I'm not sure the dollar amount saved in tax penalties.

[ShootingtheJ]

Have we ever figured out what the Bucks tax bill and apron penalties would have been if Middleton had finished the year on the roster with us above the 2nd apron?

Tax bill? Who cares? That's what ownership owes for all the meddling.

[BigO]

Geez. Those who say that Horst only did this for the cap space must have missed all the evidence to the contrary.

You see the quote he gave.He didn't have to go into all those specifics if this was just a cap space move.I actually would have less crticism of the move if that was all it was.

Horst in the last year has emphasizied athleticism to the point of absurdity. He has drafted two guys with limited bball skills but great athleticism. And then he got Kuzma, who fits the same mold. This isn't a coincidence.

And if Doc really had concerns about Kuzma he wouldnt have started him all those playoff games and tanked the team before the subs could even get in there.

We have another instance of rigidity, this time with the GM. He really wants to get more athletic and it has ovewhelmed his judgement. And for Doc, He is just an idiot who has no bball instincts when it comes to talent.

I think Bud was an overrated coach and there are a lot of examples of that, but he still is much better than Doc. But they both have a title, so I guess that makes them good.Just like Mike McCarthy and Mike Ditka.

[MickeyDavis]

The Bucks wanted Kuzma. It was important to get out of the second apron. Both things can be true.

[ReasonablySober]

Which was more important: getting a bad player because he happened to be athletic? or getting underneath the second apron and out of Middleton's contract?

I think the answer is obvious here, and there were limited ways of going about doing that.

[jschligs]

I still think the Kuz trade was the right trade. Midds is toast. And at the time we had a healthy Dame for 2025-2026 season and probably had some plans that were much different than where we're at now.

[Be Here Now]

Been reading this thread for a month now. Still haven’t seen any trade ideas or FA signings that are both realistic and move the needle.

I want to believe, but I think my optimism for this franchise is at an all time low. Which seems impossible considering that 2002-2013 era.

My prediction for next year is we'll be a play in team. I don't ever recall a team with a top 3 player in such a bad spot w/r/t talent, gm and coaching.

[machu46]

The Bucks wanted Kuzma. It was important to get out of the second apron. Both things can be true.

This. I totally agree that even if it was about getting out of the apron, it would be a bad look for Horst to not sell it as a basketball move. But we also know Horst has now wanted Kuzma for multiple years. The fact that it allowed us to dodge the second apron was just an added bonus IMO.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

[Wonka]

There’s no bonus when it comes to Kuzma, especially when it comes to retaining Giannis. There’s nothing about Kuz’s “game” that fits with our star or pretty much any modern, winning player. The entire mentality had to be around selling Giannis to stay. Kuz didn’t and won’t impact that. That’s where our intention needs to stay.

[raferfenix]

Knicks are out.

Prepare for an insufferable amount of Giannis to MSG talk.

Bill Simmons put fuel on the fire too:

On Wednesday, during a new episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons outlined very clearly how the Knicks could acquire Giannis — by trading Mikal Bridges to the San Antonio Spurs for valuable draft capital and then trading that draft capital and Towns to the Bucks for Antetokounmpo.

Simmons senses that the Spurs are interested in acquiring Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant but might be better off adding Bridges, opening up the door for the Knicks to initiate their "Acquire Giannis" masterplan.

“I just wonder … instead of Durant, who was in the 2007 draft … and has been around for a long, long time … (does) it make more sense (for the Spurs) to target somebody like Bridges?” Simmons said.

“And then if you're the Knicks, could you send Bridges (to San Antonio) for picks and (then) send those picks with Towns for Giannis and basically turn Towns and Bridges into Giannis?"

“I can't believe we're talking about this when this (ECF) series isn't over. I was just thinking … if Giannis is really out there and you're the Knicks, you have to kick the tires on it.”

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/new-york-knicks/news/knicks-summer-plan-acquire-giannis-antetokounmpo-outlined-clearly/20779f882f58d6ca7d863d62

[raferfenix]

Have we ever figured out what the Bucks tax bill and apron penalties would have been if Middleton had finished the year on the roster with us above the 2nd apron?

The money piece is especially curious considering Kuzma has the extra year on his deal.

Even a one legged Khris seems like he’d have more value at the moment with all that money coming off the books.

[German Athens]

Does our ‘31 1st get us #14 and the ATL swap next year?

The swap might make it too much, but #14 alone feels short.

What are your plans for #14?

Pair that with the ‘26 swap for #24.

Then #14, #24, ‘32 swap for Lauri, Trey Murphy, or Bane.

We go from offering one first and a swap, to two firsts and a swap, so I think our package is seen as an improvement.

I think Lauri is the most likely to go for that package, and I’d be happy. The other two may end up on the block, but they’d get a lot of offers for them.

I buy into the idea that any of those three guys could be a top 3 player on our next core, and, frankly, alongside Giannis, are probably capable second options. That’s what I’m trying to target this offseason.

We can throw in the ‘30 double swap as well.

[ShootingtheJ]

Have we ever figured out what the Bucks tax bill and apron penalties would have been if Middleton had finished the year on the roster with us above the 2nd apron?

The money piece is especially curious considering Kuzma has the extra year on his deal.

Even a one legged Khris seems like he’d have more value at the moment with all that money coming off the books.

Yup, hobbled Khris finished 2 VORP more than Kuzma, despite being shut down while healthy because he helped them win too many games.

Maybe it was tax motivated? PP is on to something, because this was on awful short term and long term basketball move.

[paulpressey25]

Have we ever figured out what the Bucks tax bill and apron penalties would have been if Middleton had finished the year on the roster with us above the 2nd apron?

The money piece is especially curious considering Kuzma has the extra year on his deal.

Even a one legged Khris seems like he’d have more value at the moment with all that money coming off the books.

Yup, hobbled Khris finished 2 VORP more than Kuzma, despite being shut down while healthy because he helped them win too many games.

Maybe it was tax motivated? PP is on to something, because this was on awful short term and long term basketball move.

I think it was always 90% about the money. But I haven’t been able to find out if it saved the owners $25 million and repeater penalties or $125 million and repeater penalties.

[German Athens]

I bet we could get #25 from Orlando by offering Bobby, particularly if we allow them to shed salary, since they’ll almost certainly be a tax team and will be pressed against the first apron.

Maybe they don’t want to start their clock yet.

[German Athens]

‘31 1st to Spurs for #14 + #38

Why?
The spurs gave up their second lottery pick last year, #8, for Minny’s ‘31 1st + ‘30 swap. Here they give up their later second lottery pick for a distant 1st that probably projects to be better than Minny’s.

‘26 swap for OKC #24

Why?
Okc moves off their 2nd first for a chance to move up next year. They had the best record in the league this year, and we are without our second best player. They also have a roster crunch right now.

Bobby for KCP + #25

Why?
Orl fans have been interested in Bobby in the past. Orlando moves off their second 1st this year and sheds 8m salary for Bobby. This may get them out of the tax.

What does #14, #24, #25, ‘32 swap get us?