Bucks News, Trade Ideas, Transactions

[ReasonablySober]

Middleton hasn't been tradeable for a long time.

If the Bucks had some foresight before last February's deadline, sure. But the deadline was February 8, and he got hurt on February 6 with an injury that would keep him out for a month and a half.

After that was last offseason, and knowing what we know now you have to believe he would have failed any physical.

The Bucks only hope to move on was him coming back 100% before this season and looking great. Obviously that ship has long sailed.

[stellation]

If you were getting paid tens of millions of dollars to play basketball, how bad would you have to hurt to not play basketball?

I mean, he's getting paid tens of millions of dollars not to play basketball.

The question now is how much he's hurting vs how bad the public pressure is and the responsibility he's feeling to be there for his teammates.

In the scenario where he's he's getting paid tens of millions of dollars not to play basketball I feel the question now is probably more along the lines of "how much does he need to be paid to play basketball?". If we find a way to make it elevenses of millions will Khris suit up?

[paulpressey25]

If you were getting paid tens of millions of dollars to play basketball, how bad would you have to hurt to not play basketball?

Already made $200 million - check
Championship Ring - check
Olympic Gold Medal - check

We sort of dealing with a Robert Smith (Vikings NFL) situation. Khris had these same issues last year. The guy has accomplished a lot, made a ton of money. The competitive hunger isn’t there anymore.

[ShootingtheJ]

If you were getting paid tens of millions of dollars to play basketball, how bad would you have to hurt to not play basketball?

Already made $200 million - check
Championship Ring - check
Olympic Gold Medal - check

We sort of dealing with a Robert Smith (Vikings NFL) situation. Khris had these same issues last year. The guy has accomplished a lot, made a ton of money. The competitive hunger isn’t there anymore.

Total BS. He just realized the playoffs are everything. His legacy changes with another ring

If Mids was playing, I doubt AJ Dort or Ajax ever get a fair shot. We're better in the long run for Mids cautiousness.

[randy84]

Middleton propaganda.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/42512464/bucks-khris-middleton-cleared-ramping-up

[Turk Nowitzki]

It's just really tough to take Middleton's side on this one. If the training staff says you're good and you've had all this time to get into playing shape you owe it to the organization and to your teammates to give it a shot and at least give us 15-20 minutes off the bench.

[Bernman]

Livingston should be unleashed some too cuz he's looked useful about every time he's played from later last yr until now in the G-League. But the Bucks pre-determined he was in the Johnson category cuz of his age & Smith is playing over him cuz Doc's a fossil who needs 2 traditional bigs.

That doesn't mean Smith or Marjon are better. To me he's in the Ajax category, but can play small ball 4, and helps your transition and rebounding more than Prince. Shooting=Ajax's, but he scores inside.

[German Athens]

Two separate trades:

Mke: Timelord
Por: Bobby

Mke: Reath
Por: marjon, 2nd

I’d still like to target a defensive combo forward, too, but I think these trades work for now.

[ShootingtheJ]

Two separate trades:

Mke: Timelord
Por: Bobby

Mke: Reath
Por: marjon, 2nd

I’d still likely to target a defensive combo forward, too, but I think this trades work for now.

Why acquire 2 centers?

[German Athens]

Two separate trades:

Mke: Timelord
Por: Bobby

Mke: Reath
Por: marjon, 2nd

I’d still likely to target a defensive combo forward, too, but I think this trades work for now.

Why acquire 2 centers?

Injury insurance for Williams, and there’s nothing wrong with having 3 centers on the roster.

[raferfenix]

It's just really tough to take Middleton's side on this one. If the training staff says you're good and you've had all this time to get into playing shape you owe it to the organization and to your teammates to give it a shot and at least give us 15-20 minutes off the bench.

Minutes?

He hasn’t even tried to do 5x5 in practice.

If the same lockerroom concerns didn’t leak out last year it’d be less of a thing too.

[yb90]

If the Bucks could get the okay from his agent that he would be willing to come off the bench I would try to trade Portis and Pat for Dennis Schroder.

It would be great if they could get a 3rd team to give picks to the Nets for Portis.

[raferfenix]

Middleton has increased his on-court activity and has consistently completed 3-on-3 play over the past several weeks.

The team is supportive of Middleton as he works toward a return to the court as his best self, but his absence has lasted much longer than people around the organization anticipated.

"He's looked good," Bucks coach Doc Rivers said of Middleton on Wednesday. "He's working his butt off. Listen, I think he's close. And he's just going to keep working. This is the best I've seen him, I will say that."

The Bucks are still hopeful Middleton, 33, will participate in some 5-on-5 scrimmages before he returns to game action, but his return will be based on when he feels ready.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/42512464/bucks-khris-middleton-cleared-ramping-up

[Black star]

Hey Bucks fans. What do you guys think of a trade of Middleton, Connaughton, and a pick for Brandom Ingram on New Orleans?

New Orleans is having an injury season from hell and all their starters except Ingram have been hurt. If they count it as a lost season with Zion out indefinitely they will probably be thinking about lottery positioning and getting another blue chip prospect. The Pels aren't in love with Ingram so he should be gettable. They get some draft equity for a guy who was likely leaving for nothing at the end of the year given they already couldn't move him over the summer and don't want to pay him. They also won't care about getting Middleton on the court right away and Middleton's stats still show he is a good player when he plays.

Bucks get a borderline allstar caliber player at the same position to replace Middleton who is healthier and 6 years younger so he lines up with the rest of Giannis' prime. The only problem is you have to pay him at the end of the season. Also you lose what little draft equity you had left.

Thoughts?

[emunney]

If he says he's not ready, he's not ready.

The fact that he was just talking about anything less than 70 games would be a failure makes me think this is not a deliberate thing.

It's definitely frustrating that he's not out there yet. For everyone, but primarily for him.

[ShootingtheJ]

Two separate trades:

Mke: Timelord
Por: Bobby

Mke: Reath
Por: marjon, 2nd

I’d still like to target a defensive combo forward, too, but I think these trades work for now.

Marjon and a 2nd for Dalano Banton.

[Profound23]

If he says he's not ready, he's not ready.

The fact that he was just talking about anything less than 70 games would be a failure makes me think this is not a deliberate thing.

It's definitely frustrating that he's not out there yet. For everyone, but primarily for him.

Primarily for the guy making 30+ mil to workout?

[ShootingtheJ]

If he says he's not ready, he's not ready.

The fact that he was just talking about anything less than 70 games would be a failure makes me think this is not a deliberate thing.

It's definitely frustrating that he's not out there yet. For everyone, but primarily for him.

Primarily for the guy making 30+ mil to workout?

He makes $30 million to be a playoff assassin. If that ever stops, we'll talk. It was Khris, not the guys who make $48 million, that gave us a chance in last years playoffs.

[emunney]

If he says he's not ready, he's not ready.

The fact that he was just talking about anything less than 70 games would be a failure makes me think this is not a deliberate thing.

It's definitely frustrating that he's not out there yet. For everyone, but primarily for him.

Primarily for the guy making 30+ mil to workout?

Yeah man, it's his life.

[German Athens]

Two separate trades:

Mke: Timelord
Por: Bobby

Mke: Reath
Por: marjon, 2nd

I’d still like to target a defensive combo forward, too, but I think these trades work for now.

Marjon and a 2nd for Dalano Banton.

Hell yeah I would do that, but I think we’d need to give up more for Banton.