Bucks News, Transactions, Trade Ideas

[raferfenix]

So many of the trade scenarios we were playing with before the deadline were null and void due to Bobby’s suspension.

Unless we were getting a center in return we couldn’t have even traded Brook — that took Jimmy in particular (also LaVine) off the table.

I think the Bucks did/do like Kuzma.

Doc was such a fan he started him out of position at the 3 shifting the long time starter in Prince to be even more out of position at the 2!

But once a bigger deal was off the table the money saved and flexibility from dropping under the 2nd apron clouded judgement, and the Bucks were left with a low IQ backup 4 that’s a worse asset on the trade market than Khris.

Would love to be proven wrong! Kuz just being a solid rotation player and/or Horst making the most of the NTMLE and ability to combine contracts in trades could get us there too.

[emunney]

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.

I think you said it with the salary part: their clock is running. I don't know why *we* would want to make that trade, although I wouldn't discount the possibility considering how consistently Bobby's name floats up in trade rumors.

[raferfenix]

Summarizing Horst’s praise of Kuz shortly after the trade:

We talked a lot last year about how do we maximize non-Giannis lineups

Kyle is a great ball mover.

his defensive versatility. Coming over on a weak-side shot block, he's a good rim protector.

Rebounding in traffic, pushing the ball in transition, he's up there in Giannis-like in effectiveness and efficiency and frequency in transition.

There's a big gap between Giannis and the rest of our team in that statistic and so, we still think – and it's harder to do in the playoffs, I get it – but teams are starting to play in transition more in the playoffs. We're at our best or at least one of our best versions of itself is playing fast and so another player that can get out and go with the ball.

He still is a scorer, shooter that has upside.

At 29 years old, we strongly believe that he's in his prime and so we can see better basketball out of Kyle Kuzma than we have the last couple years. We believe that, in our system, playing with our guys.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2025/02/10/milwaukee-bucks-gm-jon-horst-trading-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-kevin-porter/78393707007/

[emunney]

I would love for Kuz to just show up to camp in shape. He should stay in Milwaukee but given his lifestyle preferences (Mr Fantastic sweaters, tournament-grade Boba tea) I suspect he's not.

[Bernman]

the depth in this draft is really really really bad

not the year to be signing undrafted rookies to 2-ways

(unless mark sears somehow goes undrafted)

I have my issues w/ this draft, but every 1 gets picked apart. And there are always guys who get lost in the shuffle. That's becoming increasingly true given all the kids compelled to stay in college cuz of NIL now. Their appeal fades as a 5-yr guy. But they arguably have the most value to us.

We got Green on a 2-way for 2022, the yr many rationalized there weren't good alternatives to Marjon in the 1st rd even. Give me 2-3 more cracks at that please, instead of Stan Umude, Jam Bouyea & maybe Pete Nance. Much rather take a crack at a fresh prospect like Peavy, Brea, Love, Sallis, Hawkins, yes Sears, etc. See if any have the goods & we've found our next Green, Rollins, GP2, etc.

BTW, I'd rather have 3 cracks at a 2-way rookie, than the 47th pick. Cuz that low it's about quantity, not quality. Instead of 1 15% shot, you have 3 10-15%'ers. And 2-ways aren't paid handsomely nor occupying roster spots. The 47th pick is what's throwaway.

The 47th pick can also be a 2 way guy.

I don't think the draft is particularly shallow. It's bad in what should be the meatiest part, the first half of the first round (outside Flagg). Rest of it is pretty normal. Plenty of guys worthy of an opportunity.

If you offer a 2-way instead of guaranteed contract, they can sign with another team if they so please. And like I said, I don't see much different between the 47th pick & projected top udfa's. It's not about this draft, rather just about all of them. There's a precipitous drop in the 40's.

So I'd rather trade up into the 30's, or use it as sweetener in a trade. Tanking teams like the Jazz can more justify the extra roster spot straight away. For us, it'd help if they're on 2-ways, and we just take more shots here w/ little obligation. I don't like wasting a bunch of roster spots.

[ShootingtheJ]

‘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?

Trey Murphy?

[BigO]

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.

BP is worth a lot more than #25. Not even close.

[BigO]

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.

As MD said, it was about both. If they didn't like Kuzma, they wouldn't have started him and given him all that playing time, even when he proved who he always was. Why is there even a debate about this?

[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.

BP is worth a lot more than #25. Not even close.

I wouldn’t do that trade by itself. I would do that trade if we were targeting a player who could be part of our new three player core.

If a team is looking to move a very good player and they want picks back, we could incorporate the above to get that team more picks. That’s the idea. If Bobby could net a more valuable first, even better.

[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.

I think you said it with the salary part: their clock is running. I don't know why *we* would want to make that trade, although I wouldn't discount the possibility considering how consistently Bobby's name floats up in trade rumors.

I wouldn’t ever do that deal by itself. The next post I made illustrates my thought process a bit better.

I’m trying to come up with plausible ways where we could pool 1sts to send out for a new core piece.

If 25 and allowing Orlando to shed salary, particular in this cap environment, is bad value, do you think Bobby + 47 could get KCP + 16?

[pifhluk23]

Summarizing Horst’s praise of Kuz shortly after the trade:

We talked a lot last year about how do we maximize non-Giannis lineups

Kyle is a great ball mover.

his defensive versatility. Coming over on a weak-side shot block, he's a good rim protector.

Rebounding in traffic, pushing the ball in transition, he's up there in Giannis-like in effectiveness and efficiency and frequency in transition.

There's a big gap between Giannis and the rest of our team in that statistic and so, we still think – and it's harder to do in the playoffs, I get it – but teams are starting to play in transition more in the playoffs. We're at our best or at least one of our best versions of itself is playing fast and so another player that can get out and go with the ball.

He still is a scorer, shooter that has upside.

At 29 years old, we strongly believe that he's in his prime and so we can see better basketball out of Kyle Kuzma than we have the last couple years. We believe that, in our system, playing with our guys.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2025/02/10/milwaukee-bucks-gm-jon-horst-trading-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-kevin-porter/78393707007/

If they wanted to maximize non Giannis minutes then why wasn't Kuzma coming off the bench...

No way I'm trading Bobby for #25, that's a Nico level move.

[engelmartin]

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.

BP is worth a lot more than #25. Not even close.

Maybe we could get Cole Anthony and 25? He’d be cool but he does remind one a little bit of Jerryd Bayless

[Frank Nova]

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.

BP is worth a lot more than #25. Not even close.

Maybe we could get Cole Anthony and 25? He’d be cool but he does remind one a little bit of Jerryd Bayless

Gift wrapping a young hungry team in the conference with offense and toughness for a late 1st in a weak draft class seems counterproductive if your goal is not taking a major step backwards this season.

[ReasonablySober]

BP is worth a lot more than #25. Not even close.

Maybe we could get Cole Anthony and 25? He’d be cool but he does remind one a little bit of Jerryd Bayless

Gift wrapping a young hungry team in the conference with offense and toughness for a late 1st in a weak draft class seems counterproductive if your goal is not taking a major step backwards this season.

What are you guys doing with Bobby? He's going to be a free agent once he opts out. He can't be traded.

[BigO]

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.

BP is worth a lot more than #25. Not even close.

Maybe we could get Cole Anthony and 25? He’d be cool but he does remind one a little bit of Jerryd Bayless

I don't think I'd take Cole Anthony for free. Consistent inefficiency is not a trait I'd like.

These posters are resurrecting the BP disrespect.

Why give up an efficient scorer, great rebounder and a player that gives toughness to the team?

As soon as you do that, this board would start posting that we need a rebounder and a big who can stretch the floor and some toughness.

[Frank Nova]

Maybe we could get Cole Anthony and 25? He’d be cool but he does remind one a little bit of Jerryd Bayless

Gift wrapping a young hungry team in the conference with offense and toughness for a late 1st in a weak draft class seems counterproductive if your goal is not taking a major step backwards this season.

What are you guys doing with Bobby? He's going to be a free agent once he opts out. He can't be traded.

50/50. Opt in for an extension seems just as plausible as walking away. Only thing forsure is he’s not playing next season on a 1yr deal.

[buckboy]

Looking back at what the Suns got from the Jazz for their 2031 unprotected first:

- 2025 least favorable first-round pick (via Cleveland, Minnesota or Utah*)

- 2027 least favorable first-round pick (via Cleveland, Minnesota or Utah)

- 2029 least favorable first-round pick (via Cleveland, Minnesota*, or Utah)
* = protected

AKA a pile of hot garbage.

[buckboy]

Assuming Bobby opts in, he isn't worth more than 25 if he's even worth that.

He's a decent player on a 1 year contract.

[Finn]

Summarizing Horst’s praise of Kuz shortly after the trade:

We talked a lot last year about how do we maximize non-Giannis lineups

Kyle is a great ball mover.

his defensive versatility. Coming over on a weak-side shot block, he's a good rim protector.

Rebounding in traffic, pushing the ball in transition, he's up there in Giannis-like in effectiveness and efficiency and frequency in transition.
There's a big gap between Giannis and the rest of our team in that statistic and so, we still think – and it's harder to do in the playoffs, I get it – but teams are starting to play in transition more in the playoffs. We're at our best or at least one of our best versions of itself is playing fast and so another player that can get out and go with the ball.

He still is a scorer, shooter that has upside.

At 29 years old, we strongly believe that he's in his prime and so we can see better basketball out of Kyle Kuzma than we have the last couple years. We believe that, in our system, playing with our guys.

https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2025/02/10/milwaukee-bucks-gm-jon-horst-trading-khris-middleton-kyle-kuzma-kevin-porter/78393707007/

I'm shocked you weren't able to find Horst's quote where he said the guy he just traded for is a bum, a loser, a net negative, & a locker room cancer.

[ShootingtheJ]

Raptors want to chase a star? We got just the guy for them. They finished 2nd in the Dame sweepstakes last time, but not this time!