The Milwaukee Bucks will aggressively pursue free agency and trade options to complement Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, sources confirmed to ESPN, despite three consecutive first-round playoff exits.
Milwaukee faces significant roster challenges after paying approximately $940 million in salaries and luxury taxes over four years while winning just one playoff series. The team has traded away first and second-round picks for the next six years, limiting their ability to restock talent through the draft. Antetokounmpo is fully aware of the Bucks' roster situation, but he has not taken any action and is believed to want to stay with Milwaukee.
Damian Lillard's torn left Achilles injury in April further complicated the franchise's outlook. The Bucks will pay Lillard $54 million next season as he rehabilitates his Achilles and would only be able to return late in the season if at all.
The Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade provides Milwaukee with valuable exceptions to pursue upgrades. The Bucks can utilize a $14.1 million nontaxpayer midlevel exception and $5.1 million biannual exception to re-sign Gary Trent Jr. or a temporary point guard in the absence of Lillard.
However, retaining free agents Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis while using both exceptions appears unlikely. The team's salary structure presents additional challenges, with 79 percent of payroll committed to Antetokounmpo, Lillard, and Kuzma.
Pat Connaughton's $9.4 million expiring contract represents Milwaukee's only sizable tradeable asset. CBA rules prevent the Bucks from aggregating smaller contracts with Connaughton to acquire a $25 million player.
Milwaukee could potentially circumvent these restrictions through sign-and-trade scenarios involving Lopez or Portis if his player option is declined. The Kuzma deal also provides flexibility to exceed 100 percent of traded player exceptions in future transactions.
