The Milwaukee Bucks fell to the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs last season, marking their third consecutive first-round postseason exit and sparking trade speculation about franchise cornerstone Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The team later shockingly waived Damian Lillard, stretching the remaining $113 million on his contract to create cap space to sign Myles Turner. This was largely done in a desperate attempt to keep the team competitive and Antetokounmpo happy after Lillard’s torn Achilles, though rumors have still swirled about the two-time MVP’s future in Milwaukee.
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Dave Holcomb of SI.com recently compiled a mock trade that would send Antetokounmpo to a rebuilding Eastern Conference team in a deal designed to help the Bucks rebuild.
Here’s Holcomb’s proposed trade:
Bucks receive: Michael Porter Jr., Dariq Whitehead, four first-round picks, second-round pick
Nets receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo
While Antetokounmpo has been involved in trade speculation, it appears the Bucks will hold onto the superstar. Additionally, this mock trade represents an underwhelming haul for the 30-year-old forward.
Several teams are reportedly monitoring Antetokounmpo’s situation in Milwaukee and are likely ready to pounce should he be placed on the trade block. The Bucks would likely look to get at least one rising star, along with a large package of draft picks in return for Antetokounmpo. This proposed deal offers solid draft capital, though Michael Porter Jr. has yet to prove he can even be a second option on a playoff-caliber team.
For now, the Bucks seem determined to keep Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee by any means necessary, and even if a trade ever happens, they should expect a much larger haul in return.
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