Bucks May Have Interest In Trading For Bradley Beal

Post #1 » by **RealGM Wiretap** » Sun Jan 19, 2025 9:13 pm

The Milwaukee Bucks have not been told that they shouldn't show interest in Jimmy Butler. However, that doesn't mean that Milwaukee will make an offer for Butler either.

Instead, the Bucks are more likely to show interest in acquiring Bradley Beal from the Phoenix Suns. That could be as part of a transaction that ultimately sends Butler to his desired destination of Phoenix, or it could be a separate deal entirely.

Milwaukee previously showed interest in Beal when he was still a member of the Washington Wizards. It's unknown if the veteran guard would approve a trade to the Bucks or not. And, in order to trade for Beal, Milwaukee would need to get under the second apron to be able to aggregate the necessary salaries in a deal to acquire Beal. That will likely require find a team to take on Pat Connaughton's $9.4 million contract, without the Bucks taking any salary back.

Via Marc Stein/The Stein Line

deeps6x · Post #2 » by **deeps6x** » Sun Jan 19, 2025 10:26 pm

The Raptors could help the Bucks get under the second apron.

Pat Connaughton and AJ Johnson for Garrett Temple's expiring contract works in the trade checker.

Pickled Prunes · Post #3 » by **Pickled Prunes** » Sun Jan 19, 2025 10:50 pm

This would essentially be Lillard getting paired up with CJ again... another two/too small lineup. How did that work out last time? Desperate time, I guess!

Are we talking Middleton and Lopez for Beal?

t-rexCity · Post #4 » by **t-rexCity** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 3:25 am

Pickled Prunes wrote:This would essentially be Lillard getting paired up with CJ again... another two/too small lineup. How did that work out last time? Desperate time, I guess!

Are we talking Middleton and Lopez for Beal?

Uhh..so the CJ/Lillard combo didn't work out, fine. But how about you throw Giannis with them? How'd they do in that scenario..?

bball4life · Post #5 » by **bball4life** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 4:12 am

This reeks of desperation. Beal is a terrible defender and inefficient chucker. By all means bail Phoenix out of that horrific contract and make yourself worse though.

Pickled Prunes · Post #6 » by **Pickled Prunes** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 5:35 am

t-rexCity wrote:
Pickled Prunes wrote:This would essentially be Lillard getting paired up with CJ again... another two/too small lineup. How did that work out last time? Desperate time, I guess!

Are we talking Middleton and Lopez for Beal?

Uhh..so the CJ/Lillard combo didn't work out, fine. But how about you throw Giannis with them? How'd they do in that scenario..?

You mean 6 years ago, before Lillard lost three steps? Beal is not the answer. Jimmy might be; Cam might be; there are a lot of potential solutions but Beal is not one of them. Maybe if Lillard and Beal had three Giannis' behind them... but he can't clean up all of their messes.

Big_Aristotle · Post #7 » by **Big_Aristotle** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 11:56 am

They already made a tragic mistake of trading Jrue Holiday, are they now going to compound on that mistake by trading for the disaster contract that Beal has? And on top of that you'd trade away Middleton who still has the potential to improve after his injuries AND a much better fit for the team. :crazy:

If I'm the owner of the Bucks and this GM comes to you with that trade, I block it and fire him right away. He has no clue about building a basketball team on the court and cap-wise.

druggas · Post #8 » by **druggas** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 12:18 pm

Beal isn't the answer to any question.

t-rexCity · Post #9 » by **t-rexCity** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 12:58 pm

Pickled Prunes wrote:
t-rexCity wrote:
Pickled Prunes wrote:This would essentially be Lillard getting paired up with CJ again... another two/too small lineup. How did that work out last time? Desperate time, I guess!

Are we talking Middleton and Lopez for Beal?

Uhh..so the CJ/Lillard combo didn't work out, fine. But how about you throw Giannis with them? How'd they do in that scenario..?

You mean 6 years ago, before Lillard lost three steps? Beal is not the answer. Jimmy might be; Cam might be; there are a lot of potential solutions but Beal is not one of them. Maybe if Lillard and Beal had three Giannis' behind them... but he can't clean up all of their messes.

Lillard lost a step? How? He's not a focal point with Bucks and when he plays he's still Dame. Portland he used to run around more but that was the system. Cam Johnson is not an upgrade over Middleton btw. He used to be a bench player for Phoenix before he got shipped to Nets where all of their starters are just trade baits. Beal is arguably better but it's a risk for health reasons not basketball reasons. And yes Jimmy could help them out just not sure how he'd fit with 2 other stars.

PHXCavaliers · Post #10 » by **PHXCavaliers** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 1:42 pm

Big_Aristotle wrote:They already made a tragic mistake of trading Jrue Holiday, are they now going to compound on that mistake by trading for the disaster contract that Beal has? And on top of that you'd trade away Middleton who still has the potential to improve after his injuries AND a much better fit for the team.

If I'm the owner of the Bucks and this GM comes to you with that trade, I block it and fire him right away. He has no clue about building a basketball team on the court and cap-wise.

Trading JRUE was a mistake for sure... but middleton is washed. He does not have the potential to be better than anyone currently

dubbmotta · Post #11 » by **dubbmotta** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 3:02 pm

This trade would push Greek Freak out the door...he want teammates who care about playing defense, you just adding another chucker.

bqmuzik · Post #12 » by **bqmuzik** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 3:07 pm

He previously said he thought he was going to Milwaukee before he approved the Suns trade.

MitchB3 · Post #13 » by **MitchB3** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 3:09 pm

Trading for Beal, when you have an aging Dame that doesn't play defense is disgusting.

puja21 · Post #14 » by **puja21** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 5:52 pm

bball4life wrote:This reeks of desperation. Beal is a terrible defender and inefficient chucker. By all means bail Phoenix out of that horrific contract and make yourself worse though.

I agree he doesn't help Milwaukee get on Boston/Cleveland's level, but how is Beal an inefficient chucker?

Since signing the supermax Beal has fantastic shooting numbers:
.505/.398/.824 (on 15.4/4.6/3.3 for attempts) and usage 25.4% in 127 games

In the 3 years before the deal (age 26-28), his shooting was worse (flying solo in WAS):
.466/.341/.860 on 22/6.8/7.1 atts

These are Devin Booker's numbers in the same time period (meaning since Beal signed the supermax):
.480/.354/.875 on 19.3/6.3/6.8 atts and usage 30.2% in 150 games

^Meaning these are Devin Booker's numbers playing next to KD, CP3, Ayton (18-10) and Mikal Bridges in 22/23, followed by last year's team of KD, Beal, Grayson, Gordon, Nurk etc..., plus 41 games of 24/25 so far

Worse shooter than supermax Beal, despite way better teammates around Booker in this span than Beal had in Washington.

Pickled Prunes · Post #15 » by **Pickled Prunes** » Mon Jan 20, 2025 9:24 pm

t-rexCity wrote:
Pickled Prunes wrote:
t-rexCity wrote:Uhh..so the CJ/Lillard combo didn't work out, fine. But how about you throw Giannis with them? How'd they do in that scenario..?

You mean 6 years ago, before Lillard lost three steps? Beal is not the answer. Jimmy might be; Cam might be; there are a lot of potential solutions but Beal is not one of them. Maybe if Lillard and Beal had three Giannis' behind them... but he can't clean up all of their messes.

Lillard lost a step? How? He's not a focal point with Bucks and when he plays he's still Dame. Portland he used to run around more but that was the system. Cam Johnson is not an upgrade over Middleton btw. He used to be a bench player for Phoenix before he got shipped to Nets where all of their starters are just trade baits. Beal is arguably better but it's a risk for health reasons not basketball reasons. And yes Jimmy could help them out just not sure how he'd fit with 2 other stars.

Lillard IS a focal point in MIL. He has the 2nd highest USG% on the team.

Cam Johnson IS an upgrade over Middleton. What these guys were doing 3+ years ago has nothing to do with it. Cam can still move and isn't on a minutes restriction... but I'm guessing it would be Lopez going out in a deal for Cam.

Beal is unquestionably a better scorer, but a dramatically worse defender... and it would cost Middleton and Lopez. The bigger question is the idea of pairing two 6-3 guards.

Jimmy would be a great fit. For a star, he really doesn't need the ball. He's 4th in USG% on MIA and 121st in the NBA. But again, he'll cost you Middleton and Lopez.

The question is, would you rather have Lopez/Middleton; Middleton/Cam; just Beal; just Jimmy? I'd personally go with Middleton/Cam.

About Lillard losing a step. I was talking about defensively, where he was already bad, but it's easier to prove on offense. Last season Lillard had 350 FGA within 5 feet of the basket. Six years ago that number was 499. This season 18% of his shots (career low) are within 3 feet of the rim; Six years ago that number was 30%! He just isn't blowing by people like he used to. It isn't an insult; just father time having his way.

Big_Aristotle · Post #16 » by **Big_Aristotle** » Thu Jan 30, 2025 1:23 pm

PHXCavaliers wrote:
Big_Aristotle wrote:They already made a tragic mistake of trading Jrue Holiday, are they now going to compound on that mistake by trading for the disaster contract that Beal has? And on top of that you'd trade away Middleton who still has the potential to improve after his injuries AND a much better fit for the team.

If I'm the owner of the Bucks and this GM comes to you with that trade, I block it and fire him right away. He has no clue about building a basketball team on the court and cap-wise.

Trading JRUE was a mistake for sure... but middleton is washed. He does not have the potential to be better than anyone currently

It is still better to keep him instead of Beal's contract