The Milwaukee Bucks are in the midst of an offseason that very well could be a turning point in their franchise history. All-Star point guard Damian Lillard is under contract for one more year guaranteed, though he does have a player option for the 2025-26 NBA season. That being said, how well the Bucks play and how far they go this season could determine whether or not he picks up that option.
Milwaukee’s great player and NBA Draft pick ever, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is under contract for two more years guaranteed. He has previously stated that as long as the Bucks franchise remains committed to winning, he will remain committed to Milwaukee. Having already been through a rebuild when he was first drafted by the Bucks, he has no desire to go through one again.
The Milwaukee Bucks Will Keep Their Star Players Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard
Mar 10, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) hugs guard Damian Lillard (0) after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 124-117 at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately, neither Lillard nor Giannis were healthy for the Bucks’ opening round loss to the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Playoffs. Khris Middleton played the whole series, but he was not exactly 100% either. In fact, Giannis, Lillard, and Middleton played a total of six games together after Doc Rivers took over as head coach.
With their stars injured, however, it became abundantly clear to everyone that Milwaukee’s supporting cast was not nearly good enough to help Giannis, Lillard, and Middleton win an NBA Championship. Some of these players, like Jae Crowder and Malik Beasley, are going depart in free agency.
Due to Milwaukee’s status as a team that is in the second apron of the NBA luxury tax, they are not able to sign any free agents other than ones that are willing to accept the veteran minimum. They are also limited in the trades that they will be able to pull off. The Bucks are not allowed to take on more salary than they send out.
This means that they will need to trade one or more of their core supporting players if they want to add any meaningful talent on the trade market.
The Milwaukee Bucks Are Open to Trading Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton
Apr 26, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (9) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) defends during game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports recently reported:
“The Bucks are still being mentioned by league personnel as a team to watch on the trade market. Milwaukee was able to land a potential center of the future in Tyler Smith with the No. 33 pick in Thursday’s second round.
“Smith could perhaps help replace Brook Lopez as soon as this season, if Milwaukee indeed parts ways with their veteran center who’s about to enter the final year of his contract. Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis’ names continued to be mentioned as trade candidates as well, sources said.”
Lopez was recently rumored to be one of the trade targets of the San Antonio Spurs.
As for Portis and Connaughton, both are valuable members of the Bucks’ bench. However, they also have not shown that value in the postseason over the last two years. It makes sense that the Bucks would be willing to move on from either of them.
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