Bucks News, Transactions and Trade Ideas - 2025 Off-season

[EasyE31]

im almost of the opinion we go with a 3 guard front. i like defenders in the porter/ajg/rollins mold with super active athletic bigs behind them.

those bigger active wing defenders of the past are all more suited to pf these days

id switch sims and portis on your depth chart to accomplish that look. obviously an upgrade would help there but hed do for now

kpj
gtj
ajg
giannis
sims

thats my lineup. let kpj take the bigger assignments. ajg could too. on offense wed run and shoot them off the court

At the very least that's a fun offensive lineup and Giannis is stacking stats. 1st rd exit though.

thats the version of the lineup that was very competitive with indy tho. make it deeper, commit to it, get to know it.... and we got them.

if we can play with indy as a smaller faster hodge podge that isnt even coached properly after theyd had no real court time to gel in those roles....then i dont see how you can say its necessarily a first round exit team if we keep adding talent that fits that new mentality.

also....to me.....kpj, ajg, sims, rollins....all those guys have a ton of upside in the system im suggesting. i have no idea what the ceiling would be. wed be a really young team. youd have to assume progression right?

I actually agree with this. Not only was it our best lineup in the Indy series but it was also very successful down the stretch in the regular season post the Dame injury.

I still think you need to add a bigger wing defender though, even if its not a starter level guy. While I think KPJ and AJG are good defenders I think its a lot to ask them to guard someone like Tatum, Kawhi, etc. You need someone on the roster that can handle those assignments.

[-Jragon-]

Tell Giannis that if he promises to sign with us again that we'll sign all of his brothers -- at least a 1 year deal. Let's get weird with it and see how many of them we can get on the court at once lol

[EasyE31]

Who are the ideal targets for the $7.2m trade exception from the Middleton trade?

I think my top two are Jae'sean Tate or Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

I think both could be had for say 3 yrs / $20-25m. As long as you keep year 1 under the $7.2m mark it works.

If either of those guys agree to that deal then you go back to Houston / Minny and offer them Andre Jackson or a future 2nd to get it done.

[jschligs]

Who are the ideal targets for the $7.2m trade exception from the Middleton trade?

I think my top two are Jae'sean Tate or Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

I think both could be had for say 3 yrs / $20-25m. As long as you keep year 1 under the $7.2m mark it works.

If either of those guys agree to that deal then you go back to Houston / Minny and offer them Andre Jackson or a future 2nd to get it done.

NAW is going to get a heck of a lot more than $7m a year.

[jakecronus8]

Who are the ideal targets for the $7.2m trade exception from the Middleton trade?

I think my top two are Jae'sean Tate or Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

I think both could be had for say 3 yrs / $20-25m. As long as you keep year 1 under the $7.2m mark it works.

If either of those guys agree to that deal then you go back to Houston / Minny and offer them Andre Jackson or a future 2nd to get it done.

Not interested in any deal longer than 2 years. cap space in '27 might be one of the only carrots you can dangle in front of Giannis to convince him to re-up.

[BigO]

Definite no to Derozan. It’s not that he’s as terrible as Kuz, but I think he hurts your ability to play up-tempo, floor-spacing ball that we just started to witness at the end of the year.

It’s what just happened to Sacramento. They were one of the fastest teams and put up a ton of 3’s. They traded for Derozan, and both their pace and 3pt attempts plummeted.

We shouldn’t repeat the same mistake.

To get value out of Derozan, you have to play through him, and that will slow the game down, and result in a bunch of mid-range looks. If you play away from him, he can’t provide anything of value whether that’s defense, off-ball movement, spacing, etc.

He’s a poisoned apple, particularly for us.

I agree with the points you made, but I would still do the deal, if that's the best/only option.

The playoffs are much more of a half court game, so the points you make are diminshed somewhat.

Bottom line, I don't want to ever play Kuzma and he won't be happy sitting on the bench. If a team likes his athleticism, get what you can for him.

[CharityStripe34]

Or tell Doc's dumb ass to play him at the 4 off the bench when we roll with Giannis at C lineups. Kuzma is awkward and sucks at finishing but compounding it by playing him out of position didn't do him any favors.

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using RealGM mobile app

[EasyE31]

Who are the ideal targets for the $7.2m trade exception from the Middleton trade?

I think my top two are Jae'sean Tate or Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

I think both could be had for say 3 yrs / $20-25m. As long as you keep year 1 under the $7.2m mark it works.

If either of those guys agree to that deal then you go back to Houston / Minny and offer them Andre Jackson or a future 2nd to get it done.

NAW is going to get a heck of a lot more than $7m a year.

Fair... maybe he's more likely on the MLE list then.

[Ron Swanson]

If Golden State really is interested in Brook then maybe there's something workable here.

S&T Brook for Moses Moody
Bobby re-signed 4-yrs, $60 million
KPJ re-signed 1-yr BAE ($5-6 million)
Do that Kuzma/Pat for Jrue and #28 trade

KPJ/Rollins
Jrue/Green
Moody
Giannis/Smith
Bobby/Sims

Find a backup SF/PF on the vet minimum and that's your rough roster outline I guess. Picks 28 and 47 in this draft. Idk, at least gives you a scrappy, more defensively versatile roster with the potential to increase the talent level on the margins. Sets you up well for next offseason with picks and movable contracts to trade depending on how much or how little Dame looks like the guy before the injury.

[machu46]

There are no early indications that the Warriors will be at the front of the line of the yet-to-materialize Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, league sources said. As they enter the summer, team sources said, the internal plan and conversation is about how to best reform the role players around the Curry and Butler duo, not chase another star.

Jonathan Kuminga is the most notable swing piece. The Warriors are expected to extend his $7.9 million qualifying offer, which will make him a restricted free agent in July, giving them a level of leverage as the sides figure out his future.

Kuminga has had a turbulent four seasons with the franchise, punctuated by a roller coaster last few weeks. Coach Steve Kerr pulled him from the rotation in the Houston series, putting his lack of fit and questionable future with the franchise into the spotlight. Then after Curry’s injury, Kuminga re-entered the picture again and dropped these point totals the final four games against Minnesota: 18, 30, 23, 26.

“I was listening to the guys behind me tonight give running commentary — T’Wolves fans,” Lacob said. “(Kuminga)’s the guy they talked about all night long. He’s the only guy that could really guard (Anthony Edwards) out there. Did a pretty damn good job. He had a tough situation with the DNPs from the last series, and to bounce back from that, I give him a lot of credit. I’m a big fan of his.”

Lacob’s loyalty to Kuminga is well-known. He was an influential voice in the 2021 NBA Draft choice and has remained a proponent of Kuminga through the highs and lows. It’s nearly impossible to believe Lacob would let Kuminga sign an offer sheet elsewhere and walk away for nothing. A reunion between the sides is still on the table, league sources said.

But both sides are expected to explore sign-and-trade scenarios, those sources said, which would open up the market and theoretically give Kuminga the contract and fresh start he’d desire while bringing the Warriors back rotation players of immediate value. The Warriors’ decision-makers believe they need more positional size across the board — center and otherwise.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6358151/2025/05/15/warriors-steph-curry-jimmy-butler-future/

I am so fascinated to see what sort of contract Kuminga gets. Between his uneven play and the CBA making teams scared to spend money, I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up being very disappointed with his next contract. Also wouldn't be surprised if some team decides he's worth the gamble and gives him a big deal.

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

At the very least that's a fun offensive lineup and Giannis is stacking stats. 1st rd exit though.

thats the version of the lineup that was very competitive with indy tho. make it deeper, commit to it, get to know it.... and we got them.

if we can play with indy as a smaller faster hodge podge that isnt even coached properly after theyd had no real court time to gel in those roles....then i dont see how you can say its necessarily a first round exit team if we keep adding talent that fits that new mentality.

also....to me.....kpj, ajg, sims, rollins....all those guys have a ton of upside in the system im suggesting. i have no idea what the ceiling would be. wed be a really young team. youd have to assume progression right?

Maybe progression but also maybe regression because they all sign multi year deals...

which looks ugly util dames gone. but after that its a better set up

[GHOSTofSIKMA]

At the very least that's a fun offensive lineup and Giannis is stacking stats. 1st rd exit though.

thats the version of the lineup that was very competitive with indy tho. make it deeper, commit to it, get to know it.... and we got them.

if we can play with indy as a smaller faster hodge podge that isnt even coached properly after theyd had no real court time to gel in those roles....then i dont see how you can say its necessarily a first round exit team if we keep adding talent that fits that new mentality.

also....to me.....kpj, ajg, sims, rollins....all those guys have a ton of upside in the system im suggesting. i have no idea what the ceiling would be. wed be a really young team. youd have to assume progression right?

I actually agree with this. Not only was it our best lineup in the Indy series but it was also very successful down the stretch in the regular season post the Dame injury.

I still think you need to add a bigger wing defender though, even if its not a starter level guy. While I think KPJ and AJG are good defenders I think its a lot to ask them to guard someone like Tatum, Kawhi, etc. You need someone on the roster that can handle those assignments.

we got kuzma in that role whether we like it or not for a year or two. prince wasnt horrible. i do agree in the long run but i dont think it needs to be some allstar guy. if giannis stays i dont want any more allstar types. i want a team built with indys mentality and maybe after its successful you pull the trigger on a siakam once you know you already have something and the value is there.

if giannis buys into this mentality that its about building a team aorund him instead of getting friends and co. like the old days i think we can be just as good as ever. maybe more variance in this league but we have to play that way ourselves to have a chance

[bucksfansince88]

If Golden State really is interested in Brook then maybe there's something workable here.

S&T Brook for Moses Moody
Bobby re-signed 4-yrs, $60 million
KPJ re-signed 1-yr BAE ($5-6 million)
Do that Kuzma/Pat for Jrue and #28 trade

KPJ/Rollins
Jrue/Green
Moody
Giannis/Smith
Bobby/Sims

Find a backup SF/PF on the vet minimum and that's your rough roster outline I guess. Picks 28 and 47 in this draft. Idk, at least gives you a scrappy, more defensively versatile roster with the potential to increase the talent level on the margins. Sets you up well for next offseason with picks and movable contracts to trade depending on how much or how little Dame looks like the guy before the injury.

Get Kuminga in any deal with GSW

[jakecronus8]

Isn't GS a 2nd apron team? Seems like their interest in Brook would be a vet min ring chaser deal

[BigO]

If Golden State really is interested in Brook then maybe there's something workable here.

S&T Brook for Moses Moody
Bobby re-signed 4-yrs, $60 million
KPJ re-signed 1-yr BAE ($5-6 million)
Do that Kuzma/Pat for Jrue and #28 trade

KPJ/Rollins
Jrue/Green
Moody
Giannis/Smith
Bobby/Sims

Find a backup SF/PF on the vet minimum and that's your rough roster outline I guess. Picks 28 and 47 in this draft. Idk, at least gives you a scrappy, more defensively versatile roster with the potential to increase the talent level on the margins. Sets you up well for next offseason with picks and movable contracts to trade depending on how much or how little Dame looks like the guy before the injury.

Not sure what Moody gives you, but otherwise not bad.

I'd be interested, as I've mentioned before, in Kevon Looney. The Bucks still need a presence in the middle. H'es a consummate pro, can rebound, play defense, clog the middle and prettty switchable.

[Ron Swanson]

If Golden State really is interested in Brook then maybe there's something workable here.

S&T Brook for Moses Moody
Bobby re-signed 4-yrs, $60 million
KPJ re-signed 1-yr BAE ($5-6 million)
Do that Kuzma/Pat for Jrue and #28 trade

KPJ/Rollins
Jrue/Green
Moody
Giannis/Smith
Bobby/Sims

Find a backup SF/PF on the vet minimum and that's your rough roster outline I guess. Picks 28 and 47 in this draft. Idk, at least gives you a scrappy, more defensively versatile roster with the potential to increase the talent level on the margins. Sets you up well for next offseason with picks and movable contracts to trade depending on how much or how little Dame looks like the guy before the injury.

Get Kuminga in any deal with GSW

Open up cap flexibility for the first time in years just to hard-cap ourselves for Kuminga in a sign & trade? I don't think a lot of people have really paid attention to how far he's fallen. There's talk that GS wouldn't even offer him the QO because they're afraid he'll take it....

[chonestown]

Again: Kuminga is a supremely dumb player. Would take him as a Kuzma replacement. If both he and Kuz were here, well, your pal Chones might take to pouring himself highballs of bleach.

[ShootingtheJ]

If Golden State really is interested in Brook then maybe there's something workable here.

S&T Brook for Moses Moody
Bobby re-signed 4-yrs, $60 million
KPJ re-signed 1-yr BAE ($5-6 million)
Do that Kuzma/Pat for Jrue and #28 trade

KPJ/Rollins
Jrue/Green
Moody
Giannis/Smith
Bobby/Sims

Find a backup SF/PF on the vet minimum and that's your rough roster outline I guess. Picks 28 and 47 in this draft. Idk, at least gives you a scrappy, more defensively versatile roster with the potential to increase the talent level on the margins. Sets you up well for next offseason with picks and movable contracts to trade depending on how much or how little Dame looks like the guy before the injury.

Not sure what Moody gives you, but otherwise not bad.

I'd be interested, as I've mentioned before, in Kevon Looney. The Bucks still need a presence in the middle. H'es a consummate pro, can rebound, play defense, clog the middle and prettty switchable.

Looney is going to get more than the minimum though, and he's not good enough of an upgrade over Sims to justify neglecting our massive holes on the wing and/or gears positions. We can't waste our exceptions on him.

[RiotPunch]

Again: Kuminga is a supremely dumb player. Would take him as a Kuzma replacement. If both he and Kuz were here, well, your pal Chones might take to pouring himself highballs of bleach.

Dumbinga.imo

[RiotPunch]

Who would the biggest Kuminga suitors be? Maybe a double-sign-and-trade where Bobby goes to Golden State, Kuminga goes to 3rd team, and stuff from 3rd team to us. I know I keep coming back to Coby White, but just an example (need to figure salary out).

MKE: White
CHI: Kuminga (S&T)
GSW: Portis (S&T), Ball