Bucks News, Transactions and Trade Ideas - 2025 Off-season

[ShootingtheJ]

There really isn't any path to re-tooling without trading GA. Dame is untradeable and eats up $54M. Nobody is taking Kuzma's contract. Even if Porter and Portis opt out, we are barely under the cap.

If you are advocating keeping GA, you are basically saying, "I'm good with a GA/Kuzma and mostly minimum level guys for the 2025-26 season".

Dame can be waived and stretched. We can use exceptions. We have a $7.2 million TPE.

Not great options, but we have some, and that's more than most contenders.

Wonder if we could nab Dean Wade with that.

Yes, I think Cleveland might give him away even though he's legit, because of their impending apron issues. I think the Thunder might do the same with Dieng for the same reason. He's less established than Wade, but remains a very intriguing prospect.

[German Athens]

Would the Thunder give us Isaiah Joe and some late 1sts for the 31?

As a GTJ replacement, or just grabbing dudes who can absolutely tickle the twine?

Dairy, GTJ, and Joe would be a ton of perimeter firepower.

I wouldn’t even be opposed to seeing what a KPJ or Rollins and GTJ, Joe, Dairy, Giannis lineup could look like.

[German Athens]

Joe would be a defensive upgrade to Gary.

[German Athens]

Kuzma + a few 2nds for Duncan Robinson?

[tedbrogen]

Trading Giannis for a pupu platter of mid to late first round picks is pretty much worst case scenario.

You either get the blue chip, proven guys or don’t entertain a trade.

That’s why I make him available league wide and start a bidding war. The offers I would want would be focused on the best combo of actual players, not picks. Main focus: Thompson and Eason, #1 overall pick to get Flagg, the good Williams.

Best case scenarios involve either the Nets or Pels winning the lotto. They seem most likely to give up the Flagg pick and that’s the best case scenario involving in a Giannis trade. That’s the one pick Horst can’t possibly mess up.

I keep saying it over and over but the best case scenario for a Giannis trade is 76ers winning the lotto. They are 10.5% which is only slightly behind the 14% chance of Utah Wash Charlotte

I think I see the path you’re looking at. Giannis for PG’s Contract/McCain/#1 2025 ?

Assumes Sixers want to hope Embiid is healthy for a Maxey/Giannis/Embiid pairing, correct?

[Bernman]

This was insightful & cathartic from Vecenie. Starts at 28+.

Watch on YouTube

Cliffs Notes:

- Doc may be the worst coach in the league
- Kuzma trade was terrible at the time, but they also don't know why there was no Giannis 5/Kuz 4 to potentially maximize.
- Questions the synergy w/ the FO between the aforementioned decision and drafting AJJ who wasn't going to play this yr.
- Wonders if McConnell would be the Bucks' 2nd best player, which is sobering. Thinks we should naturally tear down & deal Giannis.
- Throws out a Beal for Lillard trade idea. (me - please stop compounding the problem)

[paulpressey25]

Kuzma + a few 2nds for Duncan Robinson?

We have given up our 2nd round picks from 2025 to 2030. All of em.

We have the 2025 Detroit 2nd

We have a 2026 Utah 2nd, but you tell me how protected this is:

2026 second round draft pick from Utah
Utah's 2026 2nd round pick to San Antonio protected for selections 56-60 or to Milwaukee protected for selections 31-55 (via Minnesota to San Antonio) [L.A. Lakers-Minnesota-Utah, 2/9/2023; Minnesota-San Antonio, 6/23/2023; Milwaukee-New York-San Antonio-Washington, 2/6/2025]

[Gant]

Steve Bulpett:

Beyond the significant fact that Giannis is younger than Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were at the point they were traded to Brooklyn, I'm seeing some similarity for Doc Rivers between this Bucks offseason and 2013 when he didn't want to go through a rebuild in Boston.

https://bsky.app/profile/stevebhoop.bsky.social/post/3lo26uxpxok2r

me: Bulpett goes back to the 80's covering the Celtics and NBA, and is an astute observer of the game. There's something to this. Doc bailed when things looked bleak in 2013. He could easily do that again here.

[LUKE23]

Steve Bulpett:

Beyond the significant fact that Giannis is younger than Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were at the point they were traded to Brooklyn, I'm seeing some similarity for Doc Rivers between this Bucks offseason and 2013 when he didn't want to go through a rebuild in Boston.

https://bsky.app/profile/stevebhoop.bsky.social/post/3lo26uxpxok2r

me: Bulpett goes back to the 80's covering the Celtics and NBA, and is an astute observer of the game. There's something to this. Doc bailed when things looked bleak in 2013. He could easily do that again here.

If that's the case, let the rebuild begin!

[PG Graveyard]

Giannis should just go for the scoring title next year. I could have fun with that

[PG Graveyard]

Steve Bulpett:

Beyond the significant fact that Giannis is younger than Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were at the point they were traded to Brooklyn, I'm seeing some similarity for Doc Rivers between this Bucks offseason and 2013 when he didn't want to go through a rebuild in Boston.

https://bsky.app/profile/stevebhoop.bsky.social/post/3lo26uxpxok2r

me: Bulpett goes back to the 80's covering the Celtics and NBA, and is an astute observer of the game. There's something to this. Doc bailed when things looked bleak in 2013. He could easily do that again here.

Let’s tell Doc that’s what we are doing and get him to quit and then not do it

[emunney]

Kuzma + a few 2nds for Duncan Robinson?

We have given up our 2nd round picks from 2025 to 2030. All of em.

We have the 2025 Detroit 2nd

We have a 2026 Utah 2nd, but you tell me how protected this is:

2026 second round draft pick from Utah
Utah's 2026 2nd round pick to San Antonio protected for selections 56-60 or to Milwaukee protected for selections 31-55 (via Minnesota to San Antonio) [L.A. Lakers-Minnesota-Utah, 2/9/2023; Minnesota-San Antonio, 6/23/2023; Milwaukee-New York-San Antonio-Washington, 2/6/2025]

We get it if Utah is one of the 5 best teams in the league next year (we do not get it).

[emunney]

Steve Bulpett:

Beyond the significant fact that Giannis is younger than Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were at the point they were traded to Brooklyn, I'm seeing some similarity for Doc Rivers between this Bucks offseason and 2013 when he didn't want to go through a rebuild in Boston.

https://bsky.app/profile/stevebhoop.bsky.social/post/3lo26uxpxok2r

me: Bulpett goes back to the 80's covering the Celtics and NBA, and is an astute observer of the game. There's something to this. Doc bailed when things looked bleak in 2013. He could easily do that again here.

He's SIX years younger than Garnett. He's the age Garnett was when he was traded TO Boston.

[Bernman]

If we're going fw w/ this direction (which we shouldn't), at least players got much needed playoff experience - Trent, Green, KPJ, Sims, Rollins.

Last season the moment was too big for Green. This 1 he shined in his role. Trent had a much better playoffs than ever. I doubt he wouldn't catch the ball too next time. KPJ & Rollins had their 1st rodeos & while it was kind of a bumpy ride, they could be better for it next time also.

[paulpressey25]

Doc bailed when things looked bleak in 2013. He could easily do that again here.

Uh no, Doc is not bailing under any circumstances. He's owed $30 million for the next three years.

You're going to have to fire him, he's not giving up that cash. Back in 2013 was a different story. He was a lot younger and in high demand by other clubs.

[Bernman]

Doc bailed when things looked bleak in 2013. He could easily do that again here.

Uh no, Doc is not bailing under any circumstances. He's owed $30 million for the next three years.

You're going to have to fire him, he's not giving up that cash. Back in 2013 was a different story. He was a lot younger and in high demand by other clubs.

It was a 3.5/4 yr contract for 40 million. So there's actually "only" 2 yrs/20 million left.

But I agree, he's not giving up that $. It's a lot of free dinners. I'm dead serious he should be moved into a golf/brand ambassador role for the team. Not kicked upstairs where he's sabotaging our team potentially even more. Though I don't know if he's listened to anymore (so what's the pt).

[Frank Nova]

If a 5 man lineup of Giannis Bobby Trent Green and KPJ can compete at playoff level, we just don’t seem that far away. Maybe it’s the homer Bucks love but I can’t help but feel like re-tooling around those 5 is all that crazy.

My off season plan really starts with:

If Giannis wants Doc to stay he’s gotta move his position and get into the front office. Find a new head coach and someone to replace Buckner as DC.

Bobby opts in and plays out at least 1 more season

Pat opts in so we can trade his expiring

Retain Trent, KPJ and Rollins

Use the 2031 1st to attach to Kuzma to get a better piece. A half year of Kuzmas depreciating contract until he becomes expiring the following year shouldn’t be seen as a contract we need to use the 2031 1st to just get out of but we should be able to at least recoup a usable player that fits better than Kuzma does. Someone like Isaiah Joe is a great mention. OKC would be a good fit for Kuzma coming off the bench and I’m sure they’d love to add that pick to their war chest at the cost of a backup wing.

Hold down the fort until Dame comes back and pray like a maniac 3rd time is the charm.

After what we saw this series vs Indiana and the games after Dame went down, it feels more like we’re closer to just needing upgrades from Doc, Prince and Kuzma. Is that really all that unfathomable?

Next years playoff lineup

Dame/Kpj
Trent/Joe
Green/someone playable
Bobby/someone playable
Giannis /someone playable (Sims?)

*’someone playable’ can be the same guy. That team is still a contender imo.

Giannis is our Kobe, as of now we’re set up much better to rebuild when his game starts to decline and we suck because he can’t carry the team anymore. Trading him now for 75 cents on the dollar will fast track this team into the Charlotte Hornets. But like I said, maybe I’m just a huge homer here but this is how I’m feeling today.

[pifhluk23]

Preferred Trades
1. Spurs - ( If they win the lottery) #1 ( Flagg ) / Castle / 2028 1st
2. Thunder - Williams/Dort/2025 2nd and 2028 1st
3. Nets - ( If they win the lottery) #1 ( Flagg ), Bucks 2025 1st back, Nets 2026 1st, Knicks 2027 1st, Nets 2030 1st - Claxton
4. Rockets - Thompson/ PHX 2025 1st, HOU 2028 1st, 2029 1st via Dal

Any one have a different order? I tried to get 2028 and beyond 1st back from the teams we are trading with cause ultimate goal would be to resign Giannis after the 26/27 season

Keeping Giannis with our cap situation is chasing the 7/8 seed.

1. 76ers (if they win the lottery) #1 Flagg / PG / McCain / 2026 1st / 2028 1st / 2029 1st. Philly is the team that will give up the most, they can win it all with Giannis and get to dump PG's contract? They would literally give anything not named Embiid and Maxey for that. It's awesome for us because we then have 2 massive contracts that expire, Dame first then 1 year after PG assuming they both pick up options. Big expiring contracts are a great way to rebuild. 1 or both of them could even end up being decent and having extra trade value other than the contract.

[soxperry]

Yall are going to hate me but i think i might enjoy Giannis going to another team more than anything we can do around him here.

If he goes to a contender, its probably 4-5 years of deep Giannis runs. If he stays, we need a prayer to get out of round 1. Id just rather see him happy and on a dominant team.

[LUKE23]

If a 5 man lineup of Giannis Bobby Trent Green and KPJ can compete at playoff level, we just don’t seem that far away. Maybe it’s the homer Bucks love but I can’t help but feel like re-tooling around those 5 is all that crazy.

My off season plan really starts with:

If Giannis wants Doc to stay he’s gotta move his position and get into the front office. Find a new head coach and someone to replace Buckner as DC.

Bobby opts in and plays out at least 1 more season

Pat opts in so we can trade his expiring

Retain Trent, KPJ and Rollins

Use the 2031 1st to attach to Kuzma to get a better piece. A half year of Kuzmas depreciating contract until he becomes expiring the following year shouldn’t be seen as a contract we need to use the 2031 1st to just get out of but we should be able to at least recoup a usable player that fits better than Kuzma does. Someone like Isaiah Joe is a great mention. OKC would be a good fit for Kuzma coming off the bench and I’m sure they’d love to add that pick to their war chest at the cost of a backup wing.

Hold down the fort until Dame comes back and pray like a maniac 3rd time is the charm.

After what we saw this series vs Indiana and the games after Dame went down, it feels more like we’re closer to just needing upgrades from Doc, Prince and Kuzma. Is that really all that unfathomable?

Next years playoff lineup

Dame/Kpj
Trent/Joe
Green/someone playable
Bobby/someone playable
Giannis /someone playable (Sims?)

*’someone playable’ can be the same guy. That team is still a contender imo.

Giannis is our Kobe, as of now we’re set up much better to rebuild when his game starts to decline and we suck because he can’t carry the team anymore. Trading him now for 75 cents on the dollar will fast track this team into the Charlotte Hornets. But like I said, maybe I’m just a huge homer here but this is how I’m feeling today.

It depends on whether you think playoff level is acceptable, or if you expect contender level when keeping GA. We can do the former, and IMO, cannot do the latter.

Indy was a +2.0 team on the season. We had a very bad coach I will give you, but had to plays balls to the wall to stay even with them. I mean our top lineup played 47ish minutes last night.