Hypothetical: Milwaukee Gets Eliminated Round 2 or Earlier - Fix the Bucks

[NYG]

If Milwaukee gets bounced Round 2 or earlier, there should be some big changes made.

How would you retool the roster to make a big run the following season?

Giannis Antetokounmpo $48,787,676
Damian Lillard $48,787,676
Khris Middleton $31,666,667
Brook Lopez $23,000,000
Bobby Portis $12,578,286
Pat Connaughton $9,423,869
MarJon Beauchamp $2,733,720
AJ Green $2,120,693
Andre Jackson Jr. $1,891,857
Chris Livingston $1,891,857
24th Overall Pick $2,853,840

Total Salary $185,736,141
Tax Space -$13,136,141
1st Apron Space -$6,136,141
2nd Apron Space $4,363,859

[HadAnEffectHere]

There are no moves, you just have to hope Lillard shoots better next season.

[MessiahUjiri]

There are no moves, you just have to hope Lillard shoots better next season.

Yeah I think you have to run it back. Add someone with the TPMLE. Add a ring chaser guard vet.

[louc1970]

Find a partner to take Middleton.

[Apz]

Giannis should ask out if we go by how people spins things. Irving for giannis

[babyjax13]

1. Fire Doc
2. Trade Middleton and Portis for more affordable players who are better defenders but likely less valuable on offense.

[jayjaysee]

I think you mostly run it back. But the answer is whatever Giannis wants.

I think the best move is to trade Brolo sadly, as I love him and his fit. He’s 36 years old and his salary is big enough that you could probably bring two guys back in a trade..

Don’t think Milwaukee will be allowed to aggregate salary, so if you’re making a big change you probably have to look at Lope or Middleton. Middleton makes more, so probably the better option. But I’ll go with the 36 year old..

[Ron Swanson]

Entirely depends on "how" they get eliminated. Is the defensive improvement a mirage and they lose a track-meet type series? Does the half-court offense fail them again and shooters go cold? Either way, the simplest fix is probably a Connaughton + Portis trade to upgrade the starting 2-spot (they can't go over the apron to re-sign Beasley). Turning salary plus minor assets into a Norm Powell, Bogdanovic, Josh Hart, etc. type player.

The other option is pool all their cheap assets plus that same salary for a bigger fish. They'll have two first round picks to trade on draft day (2024 1st, and a 2031 unprotected 1st) as well as some young prospects (Beauchamp, Andre Jackson, a likely Top-35 Portland pick). They were heavily linked to Dejounte Murray at the trade deadline, so they could revisit that or some type of similar caliber guard or wing player. Highly doubt they part ways with any of their Top-4 core (Giannis, Dame, Middleton, Lopez) or fire Doc unless an absolute disaster scenario happens. Like, getting swept by the Pacers or Knicks type disaster.

[Saints14]

Not many more levers they can pull, if they're an early out it is what it is. They got a chip and took a home run swing with Lillard, the piper will have to be paid any season now for that. Maybe they could get like a Keldon Johnson for Portis + Connaughton + 2024 FRP and/or AJJ and/or Beauchamp if they wanted to completely gut their youth

[louc1970]

Giannis has to be the focal point. Everything gets built around what he wants.
Heat wanted Lillard, send him there.
Bucks return Rozier and Robinson, w players that play a role rather than taking the ball from Giannis.

[NYG]

Connaughton, Beauchamp, 24th Overall and 34th Overall for Caruso?

[NYG]

Entirely depends on "how" they get eliminated. Is the defensive improvement a mirage and they lose a track-meet type series? Does the half-court offense fail them again and shooters go cold? Either way, the simplest fix is probably a Connaughton + Portis trade to upgrade the starting 2-spot (they can't go over the apron to re-sign Beasley). Turning salary plus minor assets into a Norm Powell, Bogdanovic, Josh Hart, etc. type player.

The other option is pool all their cheap assets plus that same salary for a bigger fish. They'll have two first round picks to trade on draft day (2024 1st, and a 2031 unprotected 1st) as well as some young prospects (Beauchamp, Andre Jackson, a likely Top-35 Portland pick). They were heavily linked to Dejounte Murray at the trade deadline, so they could revisit that or some type of similar caliber guard or wing player. Highly doubt they part ways with any of their Top-4 core (Giannis, Dame, Middleton, Lopez) or fire Doc unless an absolute disaster scenario happens. Like, getting swept by the Pacers or Knicks type disaster.

How do you feel about the above Caruso idea?

[RiotPunch]

I think you mostly run it back. But the answer is whatever Giannis wants.

I think the best move is to trade Brolo sadly, as I love him and his fit. He’s 36 years old and his salary is big enough that you could probably bring two guys back in a trade..

Don’t think Milwaukee will be allowed to aggregate salary, so if you’re making a big change you probably have to look at Lope or Middleton. Middleton makes more, so probably the better option. But I’ll go with the 36 year old..

The general belief is that unless we win a title, and thus Middleton making his "unlikely bonuses," the Bucks should be under the 2nd apron and able to aggregate salaries.

[brackdan70]

Connaughton, Beauchamp, 24th Overall and 34th Overall for Caruso?

Something like that would be a great move for the Bucks. Is that enough for Chicago.

[brackdan70]

It’s a tough spot. This current team looks fine on paper. 2 stars and some solid supporting players in Lopez, Portis, Middleton. Connoughton is a decent role player. Beasley and Crowder as FA they could bring back. Not a lot of flexibility to upgrade. I think being aggressive with packaging oner or two of Middleton, Lopez, Portis and assets for a third star level guy, and adding a good perimeter defender like Caruso with young players and picks would be the ticket. The window is tight with Dame, 2 more years after this maybe.
Other option is to admit mistake with trade for Dame and try to move him for some solid pieces and assets.

[BK_2020]

They just need to get the right coach.

[Mike lorenzo]

It won't happen...but send Lillard to LAL... I think you could get good loot from them for their emergencies and get younger role players...Reaves+Dlo+Hachimura etc+2/3 FRP...
Change Brolo for Wiggins..

and Patt+Dlo+2FRP in Murray...

Murray/Reaves/KM/Wiggins/Giannis
+Beasley/Beuacham/Portis/Hachimura

[Hoppy1]

Connaughton, Beauchamp, 24th Overall and 34th Overall for Caruso?

Not sure I would give up the pick just yet. There are a few players that could turn into very good role players in the draft, just have to be lucky enough to pick the right one(s).
Tyler Smith
Bibi Klintmann
Zach Edey
Hunter Sallis

[Ron Swanson]

Entirely depends on "how" they get eliminated. Is the defensive improvement a mirage and they lose a track-meet type series? Does the half-court offense fail them again and shooters go cold? Either way, the simplest fix is probably a Connaughton + Portis trade to upgrade the starting 2-spot (they can't go over the apron to re-sign Beasley). Turning salary plus minor assets into a Norm Powell, Bogdanovic, Josh Hart, etc. type player.

The other option is pool all their cheap assets plus that same salary for a bigger fish. They'll have two first round picks to trade on draft day (2024 1st, and a 2031 unprotected 1st) as well as some young prospects (Beauchamp, Andre Jackson, a likely Top-35 Portland pick). They were heavily linked to Dejounte Murray at the trade deadline, so they could revisit that or some type of similar caliber guard or wing player. Highly doubt they part ways with any of their Top-4 core (Giannis, Dame, Middleton, Lopez) or fire Doc unless an absolute disaster scenario happens. Like, getting swept by the Pacers or Knicks type disaster.

How do you feel about the above Caruso idea?

I don't love that price for an expiring Caruso, and think he's getting incredibly overrated for what he brings, but I could see the front office being interested in that.

[Scoot McGroot]

Connaughton, Beauchamp, 24th Overall and 34th Overall for Caruso?

Don’t know that Milwaukee would want to hard cap themselves at the second apron by aggregating Pat and Beauchamp. In fact, the minimum roster charges would put them pretty darned close as is.