Bucks News, Transactions, Trade Ideas

[ShootingtheJ]

Why is “PG” such a high priority for free agency? Shouldn’t we be more focused on giving Rollins the minutes someone like Brogdon, Schroeder or Jones would get? I sure hope those 3 aren’t potential KPJ replacements because we’re in serious trouble if that’s part of Doc and Jon’s master plan. We need wings…

I mean, this is why I'm cool with a Brogdon reunion. He can play either guard spot. Schroder and Jones can't. This team is gonna need more than two mostly unproven guys that can functionally handle the ball/play-make anyways. Buckle up for disappointment though, because it's yet another source that's heavily implying the organization is telling us not to expect much:

General Manager Jon Horst and head coach Doc Rivers have presented ownership with plans to maintain the team's core around Antetokounmpo. The franchise believes it can compete as a top-six Eastern Conference team, particularly if Damian Lillard returns healthy for the playoffs.

Milwaukee faces critical financial decisions regarding Brook Lopez's free agency and Bobby Portis's $13.4 million player option. These moves will significantly impact the team's payroll structure and competitive positioning moving forward.

Sources indicate the Bucks are prepared to enter the luxury tax again after paying over $200 million in penalties during recent seasons. The organization plans to keep its payroll below the $196 million first apron threshold to maintain access to more of the $14 million midlevel exception.

Can’t we do better than Brogdon tho? I don’t understand that at all. Hes pretty much the opposite of the type of player we excelled with last year not mention dude never plays. Milwaukee, Indiana, Boston, Washington it’s been the same song and dance with his injury history not to mention overall regression. If the main plan is running it back with last years crew with the addition of a Malcom Brogdon, yeah I’ll be highly/insanely disappointed.

But on the contrary, if Brogdon is a vet min guy then I have no real issue I guess. I’m not gonna be a real big fan of any lackluster free agent off the street that’s going to come in and take minutes away from Rollins tho. He’s a peacock, captain. You gotta let him fly!

They're just speculating about Brogdon. No actual source. I highly doubt the Bucks would even consider him, he wasn't an organizational favorite last time.

As for retaining the core, I think they're referring to the group that was successful down the stretch and in the playoffs. I think they'll be looking to move on from the others, including Lopez, Kuzma, Prince, and even Ajax if another team shows interest.

[soxperry]

Makes sense to target a vet pg w our starting pg out for the year. Just good to have depth.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

whatever holes we have after the basics are filled were gonna get some vet mins to fill them. im not super worried

[ShootingtheJ]

Makes sense to target a vet pg w our starting pg out for the year. Just good to have depth.

I'd rather add a young 3rd stringer behind KPJ and Rollins than one of these vets that won't help in the playoffs. Bringing in vets doesn't Doc proof the roster.

[Ron Swanson]

Why is “PG” such a high priority for free agency? Shouldn’t we be more focused on giving Rollins the minutes someone like Brogdon, Schroeder or Jones would get? I sure hope those 3 aren’t potential KPJ replacements because we’re in serious trouble if that’s part of Doc and Jon’s master plan. We need wings…

I mean, this is why I'm cool with a Brogdon reunion. He can play either guard spot. Schroder and Jones can't. This team is gonna need more than two mostly unproven guys that can functionally handle the ball/play-make anyways. Buckle up for disappointment though, because it's yet another source that's heavily implying the organization is telling us not to expect much:

General Manager Jon Horst and head coach Doc Rivers have presented ownership with plans to maintain the team's core around Antetokounmpo. The franchise believes it can compete as a top-six Eastern Conference team, particularly if Damian Lillard returns healthy for the playoffs.

Milwaukee faces critical financial decisions regarding Brook Lopez's free agency and Bobby Portis's $13.4 million player option. These moves will significantly impact the team's payroll structure and competitive positioning moving forward.

Sources indicate the Bucks are prepared to enter the luxury tax again after paying over $200 million in penalties during recent seasons. The organization plans to keep its payroll below the $196 million first apron threshold to maintain access to more of the $14 million midlevel exception.

Why is it disappointing that we want to use the MLE (and BAE)?

“We’re running it back and hope everyone comes back on a discount cuz we also wanna duck the luxury tax” seems to be what they’ve been soft-selling the fanbase and likely Giannis on. Realistically I don’t expect them to use those exceptions for anything other than re-signing KPJ and maybe Trent. If that’s their best case scenario, Do we even wanna know what the bad/nightmare offseason scenario is?

[ShootingtheJ]

I mean, this is why I'm cool with a Brogdon reunion. He can play either guard spot. Schroder and Jones can't. This team is gonna need more than two mostly unproven guys that can functionally handle the ball/play-make anyways. Buckle up for disappointment though, because it's yet another source that's heavily implying the organization is telling us not to expect much:

Why is it disappointing that we want to use the MLE (and BAE)?

“We’re running it back and hope everyone comes back on a discount cuz we also wanna duck the luxury tax” seems to be what they’ve been soft-selling the fanbase and likely Giannis on. Realistically I don’t expect them to use those exceptions for anything other than re-signing KPJ and maybe Trent. If that’s their best case scenario, Do we even wanna know what the bad/nightmare offseason scenario is?

Trent and KPJ are better than anything in free agency, and I think everyone realizes adding the wing we need will have to be acquired via trade.

If we use the MLE and BAE, we're pretty much locked into paying the tax.

[Baddy Chuck]

I thought Trent was a replacement level player, a lot of those in free agency.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

if were trying to win next year and kpj is trying to get paid i say **** it and bring in westbrook instead.

him and giannis would certainly be a solid counter for each other

[ShootingtheJ]

I thought Trent was a replacement level player, a lot of those in free agency.

Sure, but did Trent separate himself during the playoffs? Did he show more once Dame was out of the way?

[yb90]

Why is it disappointing that we want to use the MLE (and BAE)?

“We’re running it back and hope everyone comes back on a discount cuz we also wanna duck the luxury tax” seems to be what they’ve been soft-selling the fanbase and likely Giannis on. Realistically I don’t expect them to use those exceptions for anything other than re-signing KPJ and maybe Trent. If that’s their best case scenario, Do we even wanna know what the bad/nightmare offseason scenario is?

Trent and KPJ are better than anything in free agency, and I think everyone realizes adding the wing we need will have to be acquired via trade.

If we use the MLE and BAE, we're pretty much locked into paying the tax.

If the Bucks were to go after LaRavia would they be able to do a sign and trade using Lopez to send him to a team that wants him? Also, how high a salary could they go and are teams allowed to go over the cap in sign and trades?

[raferfenix]

Seems odd if Schroder, Tyus and Brogdon are listed off pure speculation with the sourced information above.

If Lopez is re-signed, Milwaukee doesn't have many realistic options to get under the tax. If he enters free agency, the Bucks can easily avoid it. Sources said the franchise is prepared to once again enter the tax after spending more than $200 million in luxury tax alone over the past few seasons -- more than every team but the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns since 2012, per Spotrac.

Rival teams suspect the Bucks will end up in the tax but keep their payroll below the $196 million first apron, which would open their ability to access more of the $14 million midlevel exception. They might need a large chunk of it for a starting point guard in place of Lillard, with the candidates including free agents such as Dennis Schroder, Tyus Jones and Malcolm Brogdon.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45500614/nba-finals-2025-hearing-durant-giannis-knicks-coach-search

[ReasonablySober]

Seems odd if Schroder, Tyus and Brogdon are listed off pure speculation with the sourced information above.

If Lopez is re-signed, Milwaukee doesn't have many realistic options to get under the tax. If he enters free agency, the Bucks can easily avoid it. Sources said the franchise is prepared to once again enter the tax after spending more than $200 million in luxury tax alone over the past few seasons -- more than every team but the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns since 2012, per Spotrac.

Rival teams suspect the Bucks will end up in the tax but keep their payroll below the $196 million first apron, which would open their ability to access more of the $14 million midlevel exception. They might need a large chunk of it for a starting point guard in place of Lillard, with the candidates including free agents such as Dennis Schroder, Tyus Jones and Malcolm Brogdon.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45500614/nba-finals-2025-hearing-durant-giannis-knicks-coach-search

I think they’re just listing MLE caliber PGs imo.

[ShootingtheJ]

if were trying to win next year and kpj is trying to get paid i say **** it and bring in westbrook instead.

him and giannis would certainly be a solid counter for each other

No. Stop. Awful. You're better than this. Way better.

[ShootingtheJ]

“We’re running it back and hope everyone comes back on a discount cuz we also wanna duck the luxury tax” seems to be what they’ve been soft-selling the fanbase and likely Giannis on. Realistically I don’t expect them to use those exceptions for anything other than re-signing KPJ and maybe Trent. If that’s their best case scenario, Do we even wanna know what the bad/nightmare offseason scenario is?

Trent and KPJ are better than anything in free agency, and I think everyone realizes adding the wing we need will have to be acquired via trade.

If we use the MLE and BAE, we're pretty much locked into paying the tax.

If the Bucks were to go after LaRavia would they be able to do a sign and trade using Lopez to send him to a team that wants him? Also, how high a salary could they go and are teams allowed to go over the cap in sign and trades?

If we send out Lopez in a sign and trade, the salary slot we open is half of the contract Lopez signs. That would likely be too low for LaRavia. We do however have a $7.2 million TPE we could use. However, teams usually require compensation for facilitating a sign and trade. Players in this salary range usually cost a 2nd round pick.

LaRavia is decent, but I think he ends up overpaid as a RFA. I wouldn't be confident for his playoff contributions.

[yb90]

Trent and KPJ are better than anything in free agency, and I think everyone realizes adding the wing we need will have to be acquired via trade.

If we use the MLE and BAE, we're pretty much locked into paying the tax.

If the Bucks were to go after LaRavia would they be able to do a sign and trade using Lopez to send him to a team that wants him? Also, how high a salary could they go and are teams allowed to go over the cap in sign and trades?

If we send out Lopez in a sign and trade, the salary slot we open is half of the contract Lopez signs. That would likely be too low for LaRavia. We do however have a $7.2 million TPE we could use. However, teams usually require compensation for facilitating a sign and trade. Players in this salary range usually cost a 2nd round pick.

LaRavia is decent, but I think he ends up overpaid as a RFA. I wouldn't be confident for his playoff contributions.

So it would be beat for the Bucks to just S&T Lopez without receiving a player back. That way they can create a TPE larger than the returning salary slot in a S&T for a player.

[ShootingtheJ]

If the Bucks were to go after LaRavia would they be able to do a sign and trade using Lopez to send him to a team that wants him? Also, how high a salary could they go and are teams allowed to go over the cap in sign and trades?

If we send out Lopez in a sign and trade, the salary slot we open is half of the contract Lopez signs. That would likely be too low for LaRavia. We do however have a $7.2 million TPE we could use. However, teams usually require compensation for facilitating a sign and trade. Players in this salary range usually cost a 2nd round pick.

LaRavia is decent, but I think he ends up overpaid as a RFA. I wouldn't be confident for his playoff contributions.

So it would be beat for the Bucks to just S&T Lopez without receiving a player back. That way they can create a TPE larger than the returning salary slot in a S&T for a player.

The TPE would be the same, but yes, Lopez is likely moved for a 2nd. Houston might just sign him outright, but only if they lose Adams.

[BUCKnation]

Shroder would be a fun add, would be fitting to finally get him well past his prime but he’s definitely got more juice than jeff teague who was similarly rumored for years

[raferfenix]

I mean maybe the Bucks never should have let Brogdon go?

Yeah he gets hurt but combo guards with size who can defend, shoot, attack the rack and distribute and are very hard to come by.

[Baddy Chuck]

I thought Trent was a replacement level player, a lot of those in free agency.

Sure, but did Trent separate himself during the playoffs? Did he show more once Dame was out of the way?

Almost like the root of "replacement level players" is pretty situational based on role/fit and pretty largely has nothing to do with how "good" they are.

[Xanadu]

Should of probably did a little research before this post but I am lazy.
Is Monk a FA this year? If so how much more could he cost that Trent? Because if they have a similar value in per year cost I think Monk is the way to go. Think he provides a dynamic on ball shooter with underrated playmaking. He always just seemed to pop with the ball in his hands. Think he has yet untapped potential especially as a ball handler in PnR situations. He has great athleticism and silky smooth looking jumper. He has always been used as 6th man instant offense type but would love to see what he can bring as starter especially with someone like Giannis. He could be your starter at PG with Giannis given lead playmaking duties. Always been a fan and think that in the right situation he could untapped ceiling still. Curious if anyone else is fan and if anyone has clue what his cost could be?