Even though Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the NBA’s best players, and he’s right square in his prime at 30 years old, the Milwaukee Bucks are one of the oldest teams in the NBA. Two of their best players Damian Lillard (age 34), and Brook Lopez (age 36) are not getting any younger, limiting Antetokounmpo’s championship window in Milwaukee.
If things don’t go their way in the postseason, the Bucks may try to get younger during the offseason. Trading Khris Middleton for Kyle Kuzma helped them do so, but that may only be the start.
Bleacher Report floated a young big man who could be Lopez’s eventual replacement. Utah Jazz center John Collins is 27 years old, and while he’s not the rim protector Lopez is, he has a lot of appealing qualities as a starter in the frontcourt.
He is a respected floor spacer, shooting nearly 40% from three this season, and a solid rebounder for his size, averaging 8.2 rebounds. In addition, Collins is a lob threat and has shown he can create his own shot.
What makes him all the more appealing is that Collins doesn’t fit with the Jazz’s rebuilding plans. Because Utah is focused more on their youth movement, Collins could be easily attainable for Milwaukee. It would all be a matter of what they would trade.
The Bucks are now below the NBA’s second tax apron, which means they can aggregate contracts in trades now. Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis’ contracts combined are almost $23 million – that is assuming both opt in for 2026 – so that’s not too far from Collins $26.6 million contract.
If the Bucks pursue Collins and all goes well, they could end up with Lopez’s replacement while he is still rostered.
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