Bucks News, Transactions, Trade Ideas

[Bernman]

So are we heavily concerned KPJ is priced out of Milwaukee or is the PG stuff being overblown so far? I’ve seen DLo Russell added to the list of consideration now and I’m just wondering why? Brogdon, Schroeder, Jones, Russell and not a single 1 makes much sense to me.

I thought we were selling Giannis on the major usage role of main ball handler/facilitator/dominator?

I don't understand how these ideas are mutually exclusive. This team is already gonna be way too reliant on Giannis doing everything out there. Doc running him into the ground is legitimately my biggest worry this year now that we're not really contending for a title.

Not that they are mutually exclusive, I’m more wondering about whether the Bucks being linked to all these guards are in addition to or in replacement of Kevin Porter Jr.

The Giannis thing is basically how it’s going to fit around him and without him. We have to win the non Giannis minutes and we’re not linked to anyone that’s going to help in that regard. Especially if these free agents we are interested in are replacements for KPJ.

Yea, the dismissiveness about re-signing KPJ is silly, cuz even if you think Giannis & 4 shooters works well, he's only going to be on the court 2/3 of the time when he does play, not to mention the other games he doesn't. KPJ gives us a shot to win at least, like he did for us at MInny.

And then KPJ posted far and away the best net rating w/ Giannis, so it's not like him or a 2nd creator who has chemistry, like Khris did, doesn't enhance the effectiveness. Dame was an exception. Even if he weren't, we should find the right combo, & did. If KPJ didn't re-sign, it'd be rough.

[Frank Nova]

I don't understand how these ideas are mutually exclusive. This team is already gonna be way too reliant on Giannis doing everything out there. Doc running him into the ground is legitimately my biggest worry this year now that we're not really contending for a title.

Not that they are mutually exclusive, I’m more wondering about whether the Bucks being linked to all these guards are in addition to or in replacement of Kevin Porter Jr.

The Giannis thing is basically how it’s going to fit around him and without him. We have to win the non Giannis minutes and we’re not linked to anyone that’s going to help in that regard. Especially if these free agents we are interested in are replacements for KPJ.

Yea, the dismissiveness about re-signing KPJ is silly, cuz even if you think Giannis & 4 shooters works well, he's only going to be on the court 2/3 of the time when he does play, not to mention the other games he doesn't. KPJ gives us a shot to win at least, like he did for us at MInny.

And then KPJ posted far and away the best net rating w/ Giannis, so it's not like him or a 2nd creator who has chemistry, like Khris did, doesn't enhance the effectiveness. Dame was an exception. Even if he weren't, we should find the right combo, & did. If KPJ didn't re-sign, it'd be rough.

I don’t think I’m being dismissive. I think it’s a valid question to ask are these players replacement possibilities or players we think adding to the roster make us better around Giannis?

It can be both or 1 or the other, I’m just curious to the direction of the latest news. To me it doesn’t make much sense but if the reports are true KPJ wants a big contract then it seems like Brogdon, Jones, Schroeder and now DLo would be replacements as Dame holdovers. I don’t really like it tbh.

[Ron Swanson]

We're in a tricky situation of both A) resigned to the fact that this is gonna have to be a "gap year", and B) still remaining competitive enough to where you don't completely alienate Giannis by throwing a bunch of young G-league dudes out there and win 35-games or whatever. I don't see any downside of grabbing some of those dudes on vet minimums. The young talent that's even worth "developing" on this team is so miniscule. You still need to fill out a legit NBA roster.

[Bernman]

Not that they are mutually exclusive, I’m more wondering about whether the Bucks being linked to all these guards are in addition to or in replacement of Kevin Porter Jr.

The Giannis thing is basically how it’s going to fit around him and without him. We have to win the non Giannis minutes and we’re not linked to anyone that’s going to help in that regard. Especially if these free agents we are interested in are replacements for KPJ.

Yea, the dismissiveness about re-signing KPJ is silly, cuz even if you think Giannis & 4 shooters works well, he's only going to be on the court 2/3 of the time when he does play, not to mention the other games he doesn't. KPJ gives us a shot to win at least, like he did for us at MInny.

And then KPJ posted far and away the best net rating w/ Giannis, so it's not like him or a 2nd creator who has chemistry, like Khris did, doesn't enhance the effectiveness. Dame was an exception. Even if he weren't, we should find the right combo, & did. If KPJ didn't re-sign, it'd be rough.

I don’t think I’m being dismissive. I think it’s a valid question to ask are these players replacement possibilities or players we think adding to the roster make us better around Giannis?

It can be both or 1 or the other, I’m just curious to the direction of the latest news. To me it doesn’t make much sense but if the reports are true KPJ wants a big contract then it seems like Brogdon, Jones, Schroeder and now DLo would be replacements as Dame holdovers. I don’t really like it tbh.

I thought I was agreeing with you about the point we need other creators besides Giannis, & KPJ would be the ideal one given our resources and the proof of concept. But if in the unlikely event KPJ frustratingly signed elsewhere, I would go after Schroeder as a settle, & I could see them doing it in addition even. Though for me, that would be a surplus of pg's between KPJ, Rollins, Schroeder, & Dame's body. 4 of 14/15 roster spots.

[PurpleMoses]

I think the best option for next year is to just tank and develop. NOP will be bad too so even with the swap we'd likely be looking at a top 10 in a good draft. Just shut Giannis down mid-season and let him work on his game independently.

The '31 pick almost certainly can't be used for anything good enough to propel us into contention for next year. The pick will be more useful next year when it can be paired with Dame or Kuzma's expiring contract and/or the '26 pick. That gives us much more latitude to operate than we have this off-season and it could set us up to remain competitive in the back third of Giannis' career.

Sign KPJ and use this off-season to make a move or two in the margins without committing long term money to a roster that doesn't work. Use the regular season to off-load useful vets and expiring contracts for a future pick or prospect. I'd rather watch a team in development than a team that tries to compete for a title but comes up well short or adds more aging players on expensive contracts.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

We're in a tricky situation of both A) resigned to the fact that this is gonna have to be a "gap year", and B) still remaining competitive enough to where you don't completely alienate Giannis by throwing a bunch of young G-league dudes out there and win 35-games or whatever. I don't see any downside of grabbing some of those dudes on vet minimums. The young talent that's even worth "developing" on this team is so miniscule. You still need to fill out a legit NBA roster.

The other thing to note is the young talent we have aren't really on long-term contracts.
Guys with cost control: Smith, Livingston, Jackson.....that is it.

Rollins is currently a FA, Porter likely is a FA, Green is on his last year, Trent/Sims are FAs. These guys may come back cheaply, but it isn't like they are on a 4/$15m deal where we will reap the benefits in a year or two. If they play well, we will likely have to pay up for them.
Give me more guys like Trent/Beasley at the min over hoping Rollins becomes a rotational caliber player someday. Scour the international guys and see if there is any hope bringing in those guys.

[BigO]

10 Year Vet stats

44% FG
35% 3 PT
77% FT
3.4 Reb
1.4 AST
.6 TO

That’s Pat Connaughton who has been a solid player here for quite some time. I guess he’s always been trash too.

When comparing stats, if you don't look at volume, then the comparison is useless.

If I'm a coach, I don't want inefficiency in any of my players. But I certainly don't want it at a high volume.

Kuzma has averaged 14.4 shots game in his career. PC has averaged 5 shots a game. So there is no comparison. Kuzma is a high volume inefficient chucker.

And over a ten year career , the difference in 2-5 percentage points (free throws and three pointers) is significant.

PC is a high IQ player. He shoots when he's open, unlike Kuzma. His assist to turnover ratio is well over two to one, as opposed to Kuzmas almost one to one ratio, which is a reflection of their respective BBIQs.

And lastly, after 10 years, most posters here want to get rid of PC, not elevate him, ike the Bucks have done with Kuzma.

Kuzma is a decent rebounder. That's it.

You can parse out Pat’s career numbers with the Bucks and they are nearly identical to his career averages. You’re trying to use numbers to make your argument while ignoring all the numbers that go against you. Everything shows you Kuzma has been a solid player up until this past season.

You couldn’t even get the free throw shooting right. You used last year with the Bucks, the Wizards and combined and called that the last 3 seasons…

2023 he shot 77% from the FT line. He was a 72% FT shooter in Washington.

2023-2024 Kuzma was putting up 22 pts, 6.6 rebs, 4 assists on 55% True Shooting. You have to have absolute vitriol for a guy to not even think that’s solid.

He was bad this year, he’s been solid the rest of his career.

I gave you his ten year stats. They're bad. Show me the numbers that make him look good.

It looks like the best you can come up with is that he is a 72% career free throw shooter, as if that is good. I did misread his free throws before last year, but the point remains, he's a bad free throw shooter and bad at everything else but rebounding.

The comparison to Pat was yours. You compared a low volume shooter (PC) with someone who has taken 3 times as many shots a game (KK).

I would never play Kuzma because he doesn't understand the game. The stats merely confirm what most people can see on the court. I saw him plenty with LA. I do have vitriol for low IQ players, especially a guy who is intelligent off the court.

[BigO]

Stop the presses! An internet mock trade that actually seems way too good for the Bucks?

https://www.si.com/nba/hawks/news/new-blockbuster-three-team-trade-idea-sends-herb-jones-and-cj-mccollum-to-bucks-hawks-get-backup-big-man-01jy1wvvw46m?utm_source=RSS

It looks good on paper but you have to hope Yves is a player. CJ turns 34 before the season. Herb is nice.

The only for sure value is Herb Jones and you're giving up BP and a first and a lot of seconds to get him.He's not a great rebounder or scorer. Who is taking up the lost rebounding and scoring? I do like getting rid of Kuzma.

[DanoMac]

Stop the presses! An internet mock trade that actually seems way too good for the Bucks?

https://www.si.com/nba/hawks/news/new-blockbuster-three-team-trade-idea-sends-herb-jones-and-cj-mccollum-to-bucks-hawks-get-backup-big-man-01jy1wvvw46m?utm_source=RSS

Atlanta Hawks Receive: Bobby Portis Jr

New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Kyle Kuzma, Tyler Smith, 2025 2nd round pick (via MIL, #47), 2026 2nd round pick (via UTA, from MIL), 2031 1st round pick (via MIL, unprotected), 2031 2nd round pick (via MIL)

Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Herb Jones, Yves Missi, CJ McCollum, Kobe Bufkin, 2027 2nd round pick (via CLE)

Wonder if there's any way we could expand on that and swap AJax + Livingston for Alvarado

[Frank Nova]

Yea, the dismissiveness about re-signing KPJ is silly, cuz even if you think Giannis & 4 shooters works well, he's only going to be on the court 2/3 of the time when he does play, not to mention the other games he doesn't. KPJ gives us a shot to win at least, like he did for us at MInny.

And then KPJ posted far and away the best net rating w/ Giannis, so it's not like him or a 2nd creator who has chemistry, like Khris did, doesn't enhance the effectiveness. Dame was an exception. Even if he weren't, we should find the right combo, & did. If KPJ didn't re-sign, it'd be rough.

I don’t think I’m being dismissive. I think it’s a valid question to ask are these players replacement possibilities or players we think adding to the roster make us better around Giannis?

It can be both or 1 or the other, I’m just curious to the direction of the latest news. To me it doesn’t make much sense but if the reports are true KPJ wants a big contract then it seems like Brogdon, Jones, Schroeder and now DLo would be replacements as Dame holdovers. I don’t really like it tbh.

I thought I was agreeing with you about the point we need other creators besides Giannis, & KPJ would be the ideal one given our resources and the proof of concept. But if in the unlikely event KPJ frustratingly signed elsewhere, I would go after Schroeder as a settle, & I could see them doing it in addition even. Though for me, that would be a surplus of pg's between KPJ, Rollins, Schroeder, & Dame's body. 4 of 14/15 roster spots.

Yeah I think we also agree but maybe I just worded my question in a confusing way, I wasn’t sure what you were implying with your response. We definitely need multiple creators, I agree with what you and Ron Swanson both said. I’m just underwhelmed with the players we’re linked to and I’m wondering (which was my original question) if these players are additions and/or replacements. To me that makes a world of difference. I’d rather have KPJ over anyone we’re currently linked to but I’m fine with those types of players being brought in as an addition to the roster.

[Frank Nova]

Stop the presses! An internet mock trade that actually seems way too good for the Bucks?

https://www.si.com/nba/hawks/news/new-blockbuster-three-team-trade-idea-sends-herb-jones-and-cj-mccollum-to-bucks-hawks-get-backup-big-man-01jy1wvvw46m?utm_source=RSS

It looks good on paper but you have to hope Yves is a player. CJ turns 34 before the season. Herb is nice.

The only for sure value is Herb Jones and you're giving up BP and a first and a lot of seconds to get him.He's not a great rebounder or scorer. Who is taking up the lost rebounding and scoring? I do like getting rid of Kuzma.

I think they all have value in Milwaukee. We need a guard like CJ just as much as a wing like Herb. We add a lot of defense and a viable scoring punch. When Dame comes back there’s a variety of lineup options. I like it a lot.

[yb90]

It looks good on paper but you have to hope Yves is a player. CJ turns 34 before the season. Herb is nice.

The only for sure value is Herb Jones and you're giving up BP and a first and a lot of seconds to get him.He's not a great rebounder or scorer. Who is taking up the lost rebounding and scoring? I do like getting rid of Kuzma.

I think they all have value in Milwaukee. We need a guard like CJ just as much as a wing like Herb. We add a lot of defense and a viable scoring punch. When Dame comes back there’s a variety of lineup options. I like it a lot.

Dame coming back would create more defensive problems. It will be the same issues they had in Portland but likely worse now that they have gotten older and one is coming off of a major injury. Plus, McCollum has health issues as well.

[buckboy]

That Pelicans trade would be awesome.

Tpo good to be true.

[soxperry]

Im cool w grabbing CJ. Expiring contract, instant offense with Dame out. Can play next to kpj or Rollins. And it means getting off of Kuzma.

Great.

[Ron Swanson]

CJ isn't any sort of long term play here so Idk why anyone cares about the fit. The prize is Herb and a legit prospect (Missi) coming off a really solid rookie season. If you think we're gonna do any better than that with the 2031 pick then I'd say you guys are officially overvaluing it.

[soxperry]

CJ isn't any sort of long term play here so Idk why anyone cares about the fit. The prize is Herb and a legit prospect (Missi) coming off a really solid rookie season. If you think we're gonna do any better than that with the 2031 pick then I'd say you guys are officially overvaluing it.

I would personally rather get Lauri for that pick. Highest upside. If i knew Dane would be Dame for three more years give me Herb and the lottery ticket

[jakecronus8]

That Pelicans trade would be awesome.

Tpo good to be true.

”…the upside of adding an unprotected 2031 Bucks first-round pick is incredibly enticing because there is very little chance Giannis is still on the Bucks by then.”

[htr]

I do think we will do a deal that brings us a #2 option using some combo of BP ST/ Lopez ST / Kuzma / PatC / 31 first. Ideally we can get a #2 and a #3 option from this collection. I do think Horst likely talked to Giannis and has something or a couple avenues lined up for doing something along these lines this off season. What the names are we will soon find out imo.

[German Athens]

Feels like some of you guys are really underselling how bad that Markkanen contract is.

yea

19/6/1.5 on 57% TS last year

making 53.5mil in 2028-2029

ainge would be dumb to not move up from 5 to 3 and get a potentially great pick and swap and get off of 2 years of >50Mil for lauri

KPJ had as much VORP as Lauri last year (~1500 minutes) in the ~600 minutes he played for us

the sixers would say no tho

Worth noting that the 53.9m figure in 28-29 is only 26% of the cap. Lauri’s contract will get better and better each year due to the salary jumps.

It’s kinda like a lesser version of the contract we gave Middleton in 2020.

Lauri’s cap percentage by year:
2026: 30.0%
2027: 27.1%
2028: 26.6%
2029: 26.0%

To put that 26% figure further into perspective, that’s the equivalent of a 36.6m salary this past year.

[soxperry]

Feels like some of you guys are really underselling how bad that Markkanen contract is.

yea

19/6/1.5 on 57% TS last year

making 53.5mil in 2028-2029

ainge would be dumb to not move up from 5 to 3 and get a potentially great pick and swap and get off of 2 years of >50Mil for lauri

KPJ had as much VORP as Lauri last year (~1500 minutes) in the ~600 minutes he played for us

the sixers would say no tho

Worth noting that the 53.9m figure in 28-29 is only 26% of the cap. Lauri’s contract will get better and better each year due to the salary jumps.

It’s kinda like a lesser version of the contract we gave Middleton in 2020.

Lauri’s cap percentage by year:
2026: 30.0%
2027: 27.1%
2028: 26.6%
2029: 26.0%

To put that 26% figure further into perspective, that’s the equivalent of a 36.6m salary this past year.

Yeah, the money is fine if he performs. Who knows what the hell happened last year but he put up two straight years of 40% three point shooting on volume. He would be a cheat code next to Giannis.

Now, how is his durability? That would concern me more than whether he still has it, although they could be related