Bucks get more athletic with Avdija (and NAW...)

[slos]

Straight offseason trade

Bucks in
- Avdija

Portland in
- Connaughton (salary filler)
- Jackson and/or Livingston, Smith (youth Portland's choice)
- 2031 unprotected MIL FRP
- 2032 unprotected MIL FRP swap
- #45 and/or 2031 and 2032 MIL SRPs (Portland's choice)

Why Portland? It's about time they start selling everything and make a proper rebuild around Scoot/Sharpe/Clingan and their 2025 lotto. Blazers did pay for two FRPs for the Israeli, but it was #14 in a weak draft and another mid-low 2029 FRP. With this they get all Milwaukee's future since they already have rights for their 2029/2030 FRPs, which is a nice bet with Giannis already in his 30s.

Why Bucks? They reunite Avdija/Kuzma to create a combo of big, athletic forwards, willing rebounders with adequate shooting for their size next to Giannis. That could be the key to unlock the Giannis at C lineup. Avdija/Kuzma familiarity and long term declining contracts are also a big bonus for Milwaukee in this.

Additional moves for Milwaukee...

- Sign NAW with the MLE. Bucks will be able to spend up to 4y/60mil, which even if Wolves are willing to match, they won't have a strating SG job to offer. NAW is a natural 3 and D fit next to Dame.

- Resign Bobby with another 4y/60mil. That's full MLE. I really doubt if any team with cap space is willing to spend it for a Portis overpay.

- Resign Trent with 2y/11mil/PO. That's full BAE. Maybe he has played himself into a bigger contract. Bucks make a promise that they will take care of him once they get his Bird rights.

- Resign Brook with whatever is left under the 1st apron, since Bucks will be hard capped there after the NAW part. Probably it's the minimum. I don't know if there will still be a market for 37 y/o Lopez.

Lillard......Porter
NAW.........Green
Avdija......Trent
Kuzma......Portis
Giannis.....Lopez

[ReggiesKnicks]

I think many teams beat this offer for Deni, right?

And then before you answer that question, I would ask if you seriously think Portland, who is starting to be competitive and build a foundation, is trading arguably their best player for scraps and a 1st 6 years out?

I like NAW as a target for Milwaukee. Nice fit defensively and offensively he is a 3+D, POA defender.

[slos]

I think many teams beat this offer for Deni, right?

And then before you answer that question, I would ask if you seriously think Portland, who is starting to be competitive and build a foundation, is trading arguably their best player for scraps and a 1st 6 years out?

I like NAW as a target for Milwaukee. Nice fit defensively and offensively he is a 3+D, POA defender.

No doubt teams could beat that offer, but you have to consider that few contenders have much draft capital left. Sure if Oklahoma and Houston want Deni, Milwaukee is out. FWIW the Utah/Phoenix trade has proved that a 2031 FRP holds a ton of value even if it 6 years out.

For the Portland part I like their pieces, but they are going nowhere if they stick with what they have.

[psman2]

I think someone will still throw the TMLE at Lopez for 2 years. He might just stay for the minimum in Milw though since he has made some good coin already. I do think NAW likely takes that offer if the money is the same in Minny.

I just don't know for sure what Portland direction is, they should have clearly been tanking the season hard but instead made the Avdija trade, mildly overachieved and now likely land in the 8-10 range. Are they going to try to build on their "success" or now turnabout and decide to tank harder? I think the offer would be competitive but might not be the best out there.

[gswhoops]

I think someone will still throw the TMLE at Lopez for 2 years. He might just stay for the minimum in Milw though since he has made some good coin already. I do think NAW likely takes that offer if the money is the same in Minny.

I just don't know for sure what Portland direction is, they should have clearly been tanking the season hard but instead made the Avdija trade, mildly overachieved and now likely land in the 8-10 range. Are they going to try to build on their "success" or now turnabout and decide to tank harder? I think the offer would be competitive but might not be the best out there.

If BroLo is available for the TMLE I hope the Warriors would pounce on the opportunity to bring him home

[psman2]

I think someone will still throw the TMLE at Lopez for 2 years. He might just stay for the minimum in Milw though since he has made some good coin already. I do think NAW likely takes that offer if the money is the same in Minny.

I just don't know for sure what Portland direction is, they should have clearly been tanking the season hard but instead made the Avdija trade, mildly overachieved and now likely land in the 8-10 range. Are they going to try to build on their "success" or now turnabout and decide to tank harder? I think the offer would be competitive but might not be the best out there.

If BroLo is available for the TMLE I hope the Warriors would pounce on the opportunity to bring him home

His vet min is 3.6m, so likely the 2 million difference is not going to play a big part in his decision making if the TMLE the most he can get. I could also see a bigger 1 year most of the MLE 10m+ offer out there for him too. He would be valued as a vet influencer and still has the skillset for 20 minutes on a lot of playoff teams.

[gswhoops]

I think someone will still throw the TMLE at Lopez for 2 years. He might just stay for the minimum in Milw though since he has made some good coin already. I do think NAW likely takes that offer if the money is the same in Minny.

I just don't know for sure what Portland direction is, they should have clearly been tanking the season hard but instead made the Avdija trade, mildly overachieved and now likely land in the 8-10 range. Are they going to try to build on their "success" or now turnabout and decide to tank harder? I think the offer would be competitive but might not be the best out there.

If BroLo is available for the TMLE I hope the Warriors would pounce on the opportunity to bring him home

His vet min is 3.6m, so likely the 2 million difference is not going to play a big part in his decision making if the TMLE the most he can get. I could also see a bigger 1 year most of the MLE 10m+ offer out there for him too. He would be valued as a vet influencer and still has the skillset for 20 minutes on a lot of playoff teams.

For sure, I don't think it's a likely outcome. But if he's interested we'd be foolish not to pursue it.

[BlazersBroncos]

This isnt even as good as the package PDX paid for him less than a year ago.

[Norm2953]

I'd be interesting to see what Portland could get for Deni but as BB just wrote, this is less than what
Portland gave up last year.

[RiotPunch]

You need to move on from this dream of yours, man. It is not even close to something Portland would consider.

[Godaddycurse]

This isnt even as good as the package PDX paid for him less than a year ago.

well technically he would be worth less given 1 less year of controla nd no significant bump to his game

[tester551]

I think many teams beat this offer for Deni, right?

Exactly correct.

But Portland is not going to move Deni unless its a MASSIVE overpay. This doesn't come into the realm of something Blazers would consider.

[JRoy]

Hard pass for POR.

Deni is the best Blazer this year and worth what we paid to get him.

This is selling him at a discount because…?

[DiegoChara]

This isnt even as good as the package PDX paid for him less than a year ago.

well technically he would be worth less given 1 less year of controla nd no significant bump to his game

My quibble with this argument is that last year represented a serious uptick in Avdija’s play versus the prior seasons. There was risk in trading for him that it was an outlier rather than a young player improving. Now he has maintained that level, indicating it’s more likely a new baseline.

I think he’s still easily worth the prior package in a vacuum. Even without getting to the fact that in this particular situation the Blazers clearly wouldn’t accept less.

[Godaddycurse]

This isnt even as good as the package PDX paid for him less than a year ago.

well technically he would be worth less given 1 less year of controla nd no significant bump to his game

My quibble with this argument is that last year represented a serious uptick in Avdija’s play versus the prior seasons. There was risk in trading for him that it was an outlier rather than a young player improving. Now he has maintained that level, indicating it’s more likely a new baseline.

I think he’s still easily worth the prior package in a vacuum. Even without getting to the fact that in this particular situation the Blazers clearly wouldn’t accept less.

His 3 pt shooting came down to earth though. I dont think portland should expect to get a better deal than what they gave up.

[DiegoChara]

well technically he would be worth less given 1 less year of controla nd no significant bump to his game

My quibble with this argument is that last year represented a serious uptick in Avdija’s play versus the prior seasons. There was risk in trading for him that it was an outlier rather than a young player improving. Now he has maintained that level, indicating it’s more likely a new baseline.

I think he’s still easily worth the prior package in a vacuum. Even without getting to the fact that in this particular situation the Blazers clearly wouldn’t accept less.

His 3 pt shooting came down to earth though. I dont think portland should expect to get a better deal than what they gave up.

I disagree. But in that event they simply won’t trade him.

[winforlose]

Straight offseason trade

Bucks in
- Avdija

Portland in
- Connaughton (salary filler)
- Jackson and/or Livingston, Smith (youth Portland's choice)
- 2031 unprotected MIL FRP
- 2032 unprotected MIL FRP swap
- #45 and/or 2031 and 2032 MIL SRPs (Portland's choice)

Why Portland? It's about time they start selling everything and make a proper rebuild around Scoot/Sharpe/Clingan and their 2025 lotto. Blazers did pay for two FRPs for the Israeli, but it was #14 in a weak draft and another mid-low 2029 FRP. With this they get all Milwaukee's future since they already have rights for their 2029/2030 FRPs, which is a nice bet with Giannis already in his 30s.

Why Bucks? They reunite Avdija/Kuzma to create a combo of big, athletic forwards, willing rebounders with adequate shooting for their size next to Giannis. That could be the key to unlock the Giannis at C lineup. Avdija/Kuzma familiarity and long term declining contracts are also a big bonus for Milwaukee in this.

Additional moves for Milwaukee...

- Sign NAW with the MLE. Bucks will be able to spend up to 4y/60mil, which even if Wolves are willing to match, they won't have a strating SG job to offer. NAW is a natural 3 and D fit next to Dame.

- Resign Bobby with another 4y/60mil. That's full MLE. I really doubt if any team with cap space is willing to spend it for a Portis overpay.

- Resign Trent with 2y/11mil/PO. That's full BAE. Maybe he has played himself into a bigger contract. Bucks make a promise that they will take care of him once they get his Bird rights.

- Resign Brook with whatever is left under the 1st apron, since Bucks will be hard capped there after the NAW part. Probably it's the minimum. I don't know if there will still be a market for 37 y/o Lopez.

Lillard......Porter
NAW.........Green
Avdija......Trent
Kuzma......Portis
Giannis.....Lopez

Speaking to the NAW part of this. I have always believed that NAW is good enough to start on some other teams, but honestly it would have to be as a SF. NAW is inconsistent enough offensively, and streaky enough (inconsistent is more night to night, whereas streaky can extend good or bad performance out a month +,) that NAW really should not be in that significant an offensive position. NAW is absolutely fast and long enough to defend 1-3, but offensively he is much more suited to that catch and shoot 3 role than the creation and attacking of a SG. I don’t know what the Bucks starting 5 looks like next year. But assuming Kuzma is at PF you probably start GA at the SF, and with the Dame at the PG, that only leaves a SG and C. I would love to hear a Bucks fan talk about long term C solutions, I know Brook is getting older and it might be time to talk about his successor. I just don’t know if the Bucks want to give that last spot to NAW and forgo that more traditional multilayered offensive player.

[meekrab]

What do people think would be a fair offer for Avdija? He's like a fine 3rd/4th option who plays alright defense, is that worth multiple first round picks now?

[babyjax13]

I think many teams beat this offer for Deni, right?

And then before you answer that question, I would ask if you seriously think Portland, who is starting to be competitive and build a foundation, is trading arguably their best player for scraps and a 1st 6 years out?

I like NAW as a target for Milwaukee. Nice fit defensively and offensively he is a 3+D, POA defender.

No doubt teams could beat that offer, but you have to consider that few contenders have much draft capital left. Sure if Oklahoma and Houston want Deni, Milwaukee is out. FWIW the Utah/Phoenix trade has proved that a 2031 FRP holds a ton of value even if it 6 years out.

For the Portland part I like their pieces, but they are going nowhere if they stick with what they have.

If by a ton, you mean three firsts that are likely to be no higher than 20, yah.

[Blazinaway]

What do people think would be a fair offer for Avdija? He's like a fine 3rd/4th option who plays alright defense, is that worth multiple first round picks now?

Keep in mind the incredibly cheap contract he is on, that's going to be very attractive to a team like OKC (where I think he's a great fit) looking to win now.