What the Bucks should do this offseason (GA stays)

Astaluego · Post #1 » by **Astaluego** » Wed May 21, 2025 5:21 pm

We've seen a lot of Giannis trades, but I think relationships with such strong ties tend to turn toxic before they break. (Sports-wise, it's probably best for them to part ways.) But in this scenario where Giannis stays, what could the Bucks do to be as competitive as possible? Trade Lillard? Kuzma? Connaughton? The 2031 FRP (seems very valuable). What do we do with B. Lopez? Show us your creative (and realistic) ideas.

Magic_Johnny12 · Post #2 » by **Magic_Johnny12** » Wed May 21, 2025 5:42 pm

Trading Lillard would require attaching assets they simply do not have or can afford to use

Trading Kuzma would require attaching assets they simply do not have or can afford to use.

Trading Connaughton will not net a difference maker.

If Bucks are offering the 2031 pick that almost certainly means Giannis is staying longterm which diminishes its value.

Resigning Lopez will put the Bucks in tax hell so the probable move is letting him walk.

The unfortunate truth is that Bucks is in no man’s land and the only sensical thing to do is to move Giannis to the highest bidder and don’t do what the Mavericks did.

Send a memo to every single GM in the league and publicly announce you’re hearing offers for Giannis and take everything and I mean EVERYTHING from the team trading for him and finally start the inevitable rebuild.

JRoy · Post #3 » by **JRoy** » Wed May 21, 2025 5:52 pm

The Bucks do not have a realistic path to rebuild beyond trading GA to the highest bidder.

They should work to include teams that hold their picks and swaps as they are liable to be terrible for at least a few years.

The other option is to wait until 26-27 and hope they can cobble together a contender around GA and a hobbled Lillard.

It sucks but this is where they are. I wish the Lillard gamble had paid off better but that dream is over.

Astaluego · Post #4 » by **Astaluego** » Wed May 21, 2025 6:13 pm

Kuzma for P. Williams + various SRP or the Blazers' pick?... Is there a trade where they can turn Lillard into Beal or Lavine?
I'm guessing the Jazz would be very interested in that Bucks 31st-round pick (potential premium asset).

Beal+29 to BUCKS
Lillard+ Bucks 31 JAZZ
Collins/J.Claksson/KJ Martín/Svi SUNS

Rollins/Beal/P.Will/Giannis/Portis
KPJ/Trent/Green/Prince..FA/FA

They can use the SRP acquired in the Kuzma trade to get rid of Patt and make a couple of signings in FA (Kornet/Yabusele etc.)

jayjaysee · Post #5 » by **jayjaysee** » Wed May 21, 2025 6:59 pm

Kuzma+Connaughton and all the vet mins besides Green can match Lauri, add the 2031 first..or you can find a Brolo sign and trade if you want to keep the meh youth, only needs to be about 8-10 mil first season, while creating a first apron hard cap for Milwaukee..

Portis/Giannis/Lauri/Green and vet mins can survive a regular season if you think Dame can be back for the playoffs..

That model works a lot better if you find a team willing to give Brook a 20 mil first year (2nd/3rd year unguarantee) deal so Milwaukee can match more / create a second apron hard cap opposed to a first apron one. He’s probably not worth 20 mil next season, but if that third team gets to dump 13-16 mil of expiring junk on Utah, he is.