The Milwaukee Bucks are once again facing an offseason fresh off of the bitter disappointment of a first round NBA Playoffs loss. Once again, they face an offseason full of questions about how to best rebuild their roster. Last year, they signed several veteran free agents to minimum contracts before trading Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen in a three-team trade for All-Star point guard Damian Lillard.

Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard, Damian Lillard Trade
Dec 16, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after scoring a basket in the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports


While the NBA Finals have yet to conclude, there have already been several trade rumors involving the Bucks. While many of these include role players like Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis, some are more unrealistic in that they include one of Milwaukee’s two biggest stars: Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo

Proposed Trade Has the Milwaukee Bucks Sending Damian Lillard to the Brooklyn Nets for 3 Players and 3 First Round Picks

Milwaukee Bucks, Damian LillardJan 27, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports
One recent trade proposal that was suggested by Fran Leiva of Fadeaway World suggests that the Bucks would trade Lillard to the Brooklyn Nets, one of their fiercest rivals in the NBA’s Eastern Conference:

Nets receive: Damian Lillard

Bucks receive: Cameron Johnson, Dennis Schroder, Dorian Finney-Smith, 2025 first-round pick (via Suns), 2027 first-round pick (via Suns), 2029 first-round pick

“The idea behind this trade is to provide both teams with strategic advantages. For the Bucks, gaining depth and flexibility is crucial. For the Nets, acquiring a superstar like Damian Lillard would significantly elevate their roster.”

The biggest thing to keep in mind when discussing any trade involving the Bucks is that they need to bring in just as much salary as they send out. In other words, the Bucks cannot shed salary cap space by trading away big contracts.

This trade does meet those salary thresholds, with Cameron Johnson making $23 million, Dennis Schroder making $13 million, and Dorian Finney-Smith making just under $15 million.

A Milwaukee Bucks Trade of Damian Lillard Is Not Going to Happen

Milwaukee Bucks, Damian LillardFeb 3, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Milwaukee Bucks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The only thing this trade has going for Milwaukee is that it would replenish their supply of first round picks. Other than that, the talent that they would be receiving back is simply not enough.

If the Bucks were to make a trade of any player this offseason, it would need to be one that would put them in contention of an appearance in the NBA Finals. Trading away Lillard, the second-best player on the team, is not a way to get that goal achieved.

Cameron Johnson averaged 13.4 points last season while shooting almost 40% from three, but Milwaukee already has a player like him in Portis. Additionally, Dennis Schroder would be a terrible downgrade from Lillard at the point guard position. Dorian Finney-Smith is on the wrong side of 30 and is a poor man’s Khris Middleton. That is, he plays the same position, but is not nearly as good.

What is more, Milwaukee finished far ahead of the 32-50 Nets in the standings this year. Adding three players from that roster is not going to improve Milwaukee’s own team.

For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content

Mayfield Sports Marketing

Call Mayfield Sports Marketing at 262-366-8188 to schedule Green Bay Packers players or alumni for your corporate appearance or product promotion.  Our booking agents will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired sports speaker. Mayfield Sports Marketing has earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes to speak at events and trade shows