The Milwaukee Bucks are currently the talk of the NBA due to rumors of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo getting traded this season. Antetokounmpo’s unhappiness with another losing season puts the pressure on Milwaukee to think about their future. The franchise has traded so many picks that a massive re-haul would be needed to retool if trading away a legacy player.
NBA reporter Jake Fischer reported that the Bucks have a plan in place for what they do after trading Antetokounmpo if the move does happen:
“That could mean several different outcomes that the Bucks are indeed projected by rival front offices to be actively pondering in coming weeks. Some teams out there think the post-Giannis Bucks would want to initiate a full-scale teardown that includes trading away veterans like the title-winning Bobby Portis, February acquisition Kyle Kuzma and offseason addition Myles Turner. Even then, though, there would be loud questions.”
Milwaukee worked hard to acquire names like Turner and Kuzma to provide some veteran contributors to place around Antetokounmpo. These players are already limited, but that gets a lot of worse without Giannis. It only makes sense to trade everyone and blow it up.
When Will Bucks Trade Giannis Antetokounmpo?
The potential trade of Antetokounmpo would likely come in 2026 once the trade deadline takes off with everyone making offers. Mid-December is when many contracts signed in the most recent offseason become eligible to be traded, so it is unlikely to see the Bucks making any moves before that. Too many players would be ineligible for a good trade right now.
Milwaukee has also spent time trying to build around Giannis and tried shutting down talks in the offseason. More time to actually converse with opposing teams and counter each other’s offer will see that timeline playing out on its own accord. The Bucks badly need this trade to be a hit, so they will have to wait a while before just accepting any given trade proposal.
February makes the most sense as the ideal timing for an Antetokounmpo trade to take place. Every team seriously viewing Giannis as the missing the piece for their franchise will know by then if they want to make a move or not.
Who Gets Traded After Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Myles Turner holds the most value of the Bucks after Antetokounmpo to make his name quite valuable. The Indiana Pacers made the NBA Finals with Turner as a key figure and fell just one game short of an NBA Championship. Opposing teams would be willing to part with something of value to add Turner as their new starting center.
Kyle Kuzma has struggled immensely in Milwaukee since getting traded for Khris Middleton last season. The Bucks hoped that Kuzma would be a great scorer with Antetokounmpo, but he’s remained a secondary bench piece without much of an upside.
Bobby Portis was the third name mentioned, and he has been a strong member of Milwaukee’s success over the past five years. Unfortunately, his older age means that opposing teams will only offer limited packages. All these players getting moved after Giannis would help, but the Bucks must rebuild around assets acquired for Antetokounmpo first and foremost.
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