Bucks News, Transactions, Trade Ideas

[emunney]

I think I remember saying months ago that we should be earmarking at least a 4-yr $64 million extension for Bobby and that's actually right where Hollinger pegged his price range ($15 million per year) in the latest FA breakdown. I think a lot of people still aren't understanding how expensive/unrealistic it's gonna be to keep the guys we all wanna keep. I'd be stunned if Trent gave only accepted a discount 8-10 mil per, and $20 million+ per year for Bobby wouldn't shock me.

I thought he'd opt in and sign a 2+1 extension that would take his next 4 years to 4/61. I think Hollinger suggested 5% raises, but my 4/61 implies 8% raises. That'd be a no brainer for us and decent for him, and the total value is only like 40k less than the full TPMLE according to current estimates. But recent comments by Bobby have me wondering. I think it'd be totally reasonable to give him a contract starting at the full MLE and raising by 8%. That's still a bargain considering the way the cap's rising and especially projecting an increased role. But as tight as we'll likely be up against a hard cap, every 25/26 dollar is going to count.

[raferfenix]

TI Windisch has a pretty detailed offseason primer -- could also see trading the 2032 swap while saving the 2031 first for a bigger package:

The Bucks could trade either their 2031 or 2032 first round pick this year, but due to the Stepien rule (the NBA’s way of preventing teams from trading their entire futures away) they can’t trade consecutive firsts. They can however trade swap rights on either pick, even if they trade the other one outright.

Trading swap rights to the 2032 first as a sweetener this summer could make sense, as Milwaukee would then still be able to bundle its own first round pick in 2026 along with 2031 and 2033 firsts once we get to the 2026 NBA Draft.

In terms of second-round picks, Milwaukee has the 47th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, plus a fake second (top 55 protected from Utah) in 2026 and its own 2031 and 2032 second-rounders.

There seems to be a lot of buzz around Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis as sign-and-trade candidates, so the Bucks could end up getting value for them even if they end up on different teams.

The Bucks have Bird rights on both Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis so they could sign one or both into those spots with that apron space, but retaining both with enough margin for a pair of vet minimums feels unrealistic. Adding more salary through a trade with those relaxed salary matching rules would make it even harder to retain the Bucks pair of free agent bigs.

Milwaukee could generate more breathing room by waiving Pat Connaughton and stretching the cap hits over 3 years (although I am team never stretch!) or making a trade to cut salary, but as it currently stands it seems unlikely that the Bucks could retain Portis and Lopez while making use of their other financial assets this summer.

https://gspn.substack.com/p/milwaukee-bucks-offseason-primer?utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

[Rockmaninoff]

I'd bring back KPJ, Lopez, Rollins, Sims and maybe Prince.

Would only bring back Trent if it was on another discount. Don't think he's worth it otherwise.

If Portis opts out, sign someone like Larry Nance Jr, Trey Lyles, Bol Bol, or whoever. This seems like a spot to find a value contract.

Look to sign a PG. This seems like another spot to find a value contract. I'd prefer Tre Jones, but there are several UFA options.

UFA market for SFs doesn't look good. Try to trade Kuzma for an actual SF.

[Gant]

Add the Clippers to the teams reported to be interested in acquiring Jrue Holiday. If the Bucks want him back, that makes four credible destinations so far, with no doubt more to follow.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2025/05/familiar-suitor-expected-to-show-interest-in-jrue-holiday-trade-with-celtics.html

https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/jrue-holiday-trade-mavericks-rumors/711435/#:~:text=As%20longtime%20NBA%20reporter%20Marc,still%20left%20on%20Holiday%27s%20contract.

https://sactownsports.com/55408/sacramento-kings-jrue-holiday-trade-report/

Cause all of them can get an asset back with Jrue or get rid of someone they dont want. How hard is that to understand?

Like the Clippers would probably trade Bogdan and Jones for Holiday/28

or Kings trade Monk/Val for Holiday/28

The Celtics managed to get a mildly positive return for Jrue Holiday by adding a couple of second rounders and not giving up any picks themselves.

Simons has some offensive skill, but could very well be traded again without playing for Boston as they have more moves to make to duck under the second apron.

[raferfenix]

All the teams chasing Jrue makes me think Brook could similarly have a market.

most everyone I’ve spoken to assume Brook Lopez is gone.

Lopez might be one of the bigger names on the market. He’s certainly at the end of his career, but like Al Horford, he's a complete pro and a winner who’s easy to fit into a team culture and find a role for, and still makes a difference defensively night to night.

https://hardwoodparoxysm.substack.com/p/nba-draftfree-agency-rumors-hearsay?utm_source=post-banner&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=posts-open-in-app&triedRedirect=true

[Bernman]

I'd like the Bucks to sign a leader for the locker room, and another on the court. There's a dearth of authoritative personalities on the team who can inspire and instruct. I was somewhat averse to Brogdon, but thinking about it more, I'd like him on a minimum in part for this reason.

[msiris]

Say no to Jrue

[MickeyDavis]

I'd like the Bucks to sign a leader for the locker room, and another on the court. There's a dearth of authoritative personalities on the team who can inspire and instruct. I was somewhat averse to Brogdon, but thinking about it more, I'd like him on a minimum in part for this reason.

We don't need another injured player. Brogdon has been played 57% of games since he left the Bucks (and was injured here too). The last 2 years he's played just 1/3 of games. He may or may not have been available down the stretch with Washington as they tanked but his long injury history, and the fact there was bad blood when he left, means no thanks.

[Bernman]

I'd like the Bucks to sign a leader for the locker room, and another on the court. There's a dearth of authoritative personalities on the team who can inspire and instruct. I was somewhat averse to Brogdon, but thinking about it more, I'd like him on a minimum in part for this reason.

We don't need another injured player. Brogdon has been played 57% of games since he left the Bucks (and was injured here too). The last 2 years he's played just 1/3 of games. He may or may not have been available down the stretch with Washington as they tanked but his long injury history, and the fact there was bad blood when he left, means no thanks.

Propose another on/off court leader then. James Johnson didn't play, but the Pacers credited him w/ the contribution of telling guys what they needed to hear. They'll absorb it more from a current player (technically). And IDK if that guy even exists on our huge coaching staff.

[tedbrogen]

I don't think anyone has any grasp on what realistic is for any of our guys. KPJ could be some BAE outcast because he got charged for beating up his girlfriend and played like ass the first half of the season or he could be someones full MLE lottery ticket. GTJ could get the money he left of the table in Toronto or he could be begging for TPMLE deals with a heavy wing free agent class. Bobby could go anywhere from opting into his player option to damn near 100 million. Brook might be a minimumish level ring chaser or an MLE starting center. It will be interesting.

What team can pay Bobby $100M besides the Nets? No one besides the Nets and maybe Pistons can’t go above the MLE for any free agents.

100 mill was a bit of an exaggeration but Gafford just went for $20 million a year, I could see Bobby pulling something similar, granted I'd be surprised to see too long of a deal at his age. Both those teams you listed I wouldn't be surprised to see an offer for Bobby thrown out as a veteran to help a young team and force the Bucks to make a decision. Also Bobby could just throw down an ultimatum and say finally pay me after all the team friendly deals he signed. He's basically said as much in that recent interview that he's done being the team guy and he wants to get paid what his peers are (specifically pointing out a 3/4 year deal) with this offseason being about Bobby Portis and not the Bucks and I doubt he's going to looking what guys like Gafford got or what someone like Naz Reid will get and be too happy if the Bucks just throw him some change over the MLE that most teams could give.

But on the other end as you state, the market isn't exactly brimming with opportunity and I could totally see the money just not being there. Again, I think all our free agents are such question marks right now and we just have to wait and see.

Please list the teams other than the Nets and Pistons that have the cap space to sign any free agent to more than the MLE.

[SirChurros]

I'd like the Bucks to sign a leader for the locker room, and another on the court. There's a dearth of authoritative personalities on the team who can inspire and instruct. I was somewhat averse to Brogdon, but thinking about it more, I'd like him on a minimum in part for this reason.

We don't need another injured player. Brogdon has been played 57% of games since he left the Bucks (and was injured here too). The last 2 years he's played just 1/3 of games. He may or may not have been available down the stretch with Washington as they tanked but his long injury history, and the fact there was bad blood when he left, means no thanks.

Propose another on/off court leader then. James Johnson didn't play, but the Pacers credited him w/ the contribution of telling guys what they needed to hear. They'll absorb it more from a current player (technically). And IDK if that guy even exists on our huge coaching staff.

Thanasis

[Bernman]

We don't need another injured player. Brogdon has been played 57% of games since he left the Bucks (and was injured here too). The last 2 years he's played just 1/3 of games. He may or may not have been available down the stretch with Washington as they tanked but his long injury history, and the fact there was bad blood when he left, means no thanks.

Propose another on/off court leader then. James Johnson didn't play, but the Pacers credited him w/ the contribution of telling guys what they needed to hear. They'll absorb it more from a current player (technically). And IDK if that guy even exists on our huge coaching staff.

Thanasis

I included him as an emotional leader, but he's not the guy to give anyone instructions. Maybe he can tell them what not to do. Though you'd think he could then apply that to himself.

[LUKE23]

I don't have much interest in signing Bobby to a multi-year deal. I'd like to completely end watching this team trot out slower players who are defensive liabilities in many matchups. Give me athletes and let's put the ball in GA's hand and run and then be able to switch pretty much everything on defense.

[MickeyDavis]

Brogdon is an old vet but I wouldn't say he's a "leader". And the Bucks won a title after he left. Boston won a title after he left. Indy went to game 7 of the Finals after he left. If he didn't have a career long injury history I'd consider him. We don't need another injured old guy in street clothes.

[soxperry]

All the teams chasing Jrue makes me think Brook could similarly have a market.

most everyone I’ve spoken to assume Brook Lopez is gone.

Lopez might be one of the bigger names on the market. He’s certainly at the end of his career, but like Al Horford, he's a complete pro and a winner who’s easy to fit into a team culture and find a role for, and still makes a difference defensively night to night.

https://hardwoodparoxysm.substack.com/p/nba-draftfree-agency-rumors-hearsay?utm_source=post-banner&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=posts-open-in-app&triedRedirect=true

They are both old. That is where the similarities end. Jrue can still be a winning rotation player. Brook is situational now and not suited for today's nba

[BigO]

I don't have much interest in signing Bobby to a multi-year deal. I'd like to completely end watching this team trot out slower players who are defensive liabilities in many matchups. Give me athletes and let's put the ball in GA's hand and run and then be able to switch pretty much everything on defense.

Yes, let's sign a bunch of athletes and let go skilled basketball players.

That strategy has worked wonders the last few years in the draft and trades. We really need to hang on to Kuzma, AJJ and never should have let Marjon and AJ Johnson go.

And before you add the obligatory statement that we should sign athletes AND basketball players, those players are called all stars.

I'll stick with the Portis and AJ Green types. Letting Portis go would be a huge mistake, unless another skilled big replaced him.

[soxperry]

I don't have much interest in signing Bobby to a multi-year deal. I'd like to completely end watching this team trot out slower players who are defensive liabilities in many matchups. Give me athletes and let's put the ball in GA's hand and run and then be able to switch pretty much everything on defense.

Yes, let's sign a bunch of athletes and let go skilled basketball players.

That strategy has worked wonders the last few years in the draft and trades. We really need to hang on to Kuzma, AJJ and never should have let Marjon and AJ Johnson go.

And before you add the obligatory statement that we should sign athletes AND basketball players, those players are called all stars.

I'll stick with the Portis and AJ Green types. Letting Portis go would be a huge mistake, unless another skilled big replaced him.

Lol aj Johnson was all athlete no skill. Not sure what you mean

Portis should stay, Brook should go. This is very simple

[ReasonablySober]

All the teams chasing Jrue makes me think Brook could similarly have a market.

most everyone I’ve spoken to assume Brook Lopez is gone.

Lopez might be one of the bigger names on the market. He’s certainly at the end of his career, but like Al Horford, he's a complete pro and a winner who’s easy to fit into a team culture and find a role for, and still makes a difference defensively night to night.

https://hardwoodparoxysm.substack.com/p/nba-draftfree-agency-rumors-hearsay?utm_source=post-banner&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=posts-open-in-app&triedRedirect=true

They are both old. That is where the similarities end. Jrue can still be a winning rotation player. Brook is situational now and not suited for today's nba

Lopez had a positive (sometimes hugely) net rating in 9 of the 10 most used Bucks lineups.

[paulpressey25]

I'd like the Bucks to sign a leader for the locker room, and another on the court. There's a dearth of authoritative personalities on the team who can inspire and instruct. I was somewhat averse to Brogdon, but thinking about it more, I'd like him on a minimum in part for this reason.

This is why Jrue is not "overrated" and why Portland proactively went after him.

No, he's not worth his contract at this point since his physical skills are on the decline. But during the course of his career and his time with the Bucks he was not overrated (going to your comments in the other thread)

[slos]

Wizards seem to love their future cap space, which makes me wonder how bad is Kispert's defence.. I guess Washington will happily flip him for an expiring Connaughton.