The Milwaukee Bucks are preparing for their interviews with the bitter taste of a First Round sweep in their mouth. What makes the feeling worse is that this isn’t the first time they’ve had an unceremonious playoff exit. In fact, they’ve now had three consecutive First Round losses.
Despite this, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo still “remains happy in Milwaukee,” according to ESPN reporter Jamal Collier.
Can Giannis Antetokounmpo Get Kevin Durant To Bucks?
Though Antetokounmpo doesn’t seem likely to request a trade from the Bucks, that doesn’t mean the front office can sit on their hands.
To be fair, their trades for Damian Lillard and even Kyle Kuzma speak to their desire to win another championship. Lillard may not have Jrue Holiday’s defensive acumen but he’s one of the best scorers in NBA history. Kuzma’s reputation has never been quite strong. However, he’s a jack of all trades who’s younger and more durable than Khris Middleton.
The problem for Milwaukee hasn’t been a lack of effort. Rather, they’ve made the wrong gambles. Even Antetokounmpo has faced criticism for the team’s decision-making, as is seen by some to have “blood on his hands.”
Damian Lillard
Lillard and Antetokounmpo’s slow-growing on-court chemistry was problematic last season. This season, they made strides but Lillard’s defense still left a lot to be desired. Now, at the age of 34, he’s rehabbing a torn Achilles and less than a month removed from a blood clot diagnosis. He’ll likely return next season but there’s no guarantee he’ll still be playing at an All-Star level.
Kyle Kuzma
In terms of skillset, Kuzma never made much sense for the Bucks. His ability to play off of Antetokounmpo and Lillard would be limited by his deficiencies as a jump shooter. His playmaking upside would be dampened by the presence of two high-usage on-ball creators in Antetokounmpo and Lillard. The most he could offer at one point was sound defense, an area that he’s not even considered great at.
Rectifying Their Mistakes
At this point, it’s obvious that the Bucks need to rectify their mistakes. They can’t enter 2025-26 with the same core. Antetokounmpo, Kuzma, and post-injury Lillard probably won’t cut it if the goal is winning a championship.
Their options will be impacted by a dearth of first-round picks and the diminished trade value of players like Lillard and Kuzma. Nonetheless, now’s not the time to stop swinging for the fences.
With that in mind, the Bucks’ primary offseason target should be Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant.
In theory, Milwaukee could offer up the farm for Durant. Well, at least their idea of a ranch. Given that Lillard’s injury status likely makes him unattractive to the Suns, their best offer features Kuzma, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton, and a 2027 first-round pick. Some combination of Kevin Porter Jr., Andre Jackson Jr., and AJ Green could be included as well.
Trade Obstacles
Perhaps the Suns would accept that package. However, they would probably get stronger offers from the Memphis Grizzlies, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, or San Antonio Spurs. Each of those teams has been linked to Durant in trade rumors.
The Grizzlies and Mavs were said to have interest at the trade deadline. The Rockets have been linked to Durant for many moons. Lastly, the Spurs are considered to be a potential offseason suitor for Durant.
Beating out those teams may not require more from a talent perspective. Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane, Mavs wing Klay Thompson, Rockets guard Jalen Green, and Spurs wing Devin Vassell are probably the best players that would be put on the table. However, the Rockets and Spurs in particular can offer much more in terms of draft assets. Thus, it may be wise for the Bucks to flip Kuzma or Portis for a first-round pick to get the deal done.
It might not be easy but it doesn’t seem impossible.
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