The Milwaukee Bucks The 2023/24 NBA season ended much earlier than they expected at the beginning. After trading Damian Lillard, many expected Milwaukee to at least reach the Eastern Conference Finals. With Lillard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Brook Lopez on the roster, they looked to be one of the teams they could beat in the East.
Unfortunately, Antetokounmpo suffered a soleus injury that sidelined him throughout the Bucks’ first-round series against the Indiana Pacers, which they lost in six games. Lillard was also narrow in the series with an Achilles injury. Middleton played the entire series, but also played with an injury.
The Milwaukee Bucks will face challenges in improving their roster
The NBA salary cap for the 2024-25 season is $141 million. The Bucks currently have a salary cap of over $209 million for next season. This means that they will once again find themselves at the level of the double apron of the luxury tax. This also means they won’t have any mid-level exemptions or receive a taxpayer exception for being repeat payers.
In terms of trade, total salaries in Milwaukee. This means that any industry they participate in must be compensated appropriately. They cannot lose salary by trading, nor can they add more.
As you might expect, this hampers the prospect of improving the squad. The only free agents they can sign will be on veteran minimum contracts. This also means that if they want to add a key player via trade, they will have to drop one of their current major suppliers.
An NBA analyst suggests that the Milwaukee Bucks trade Bobby Portis to the Golden State Warriors
One player who has been at the center of many Bucks rumors and trade suggestions has been perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate Bobby Portis. Last season, Portis finished third in the Sixth Man of the Year poll, averaging 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
In an article listing the trades every NBA team must make, analyst Zach Buckley suggests Milwaukee trade Portis to the Golden State Warriors for two players and two NBA draft picks:
“Trade: Bobby Portis and Andre Jackson Jr. to the Golden State Warriors for Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, the No. 52 pick and a 2026 second-round pick (via ATL)
“Milwaukee’s squad is very bulky, venerable and tough to change due to the proximity to the second tier and staff shortages. While it would be painful to part with a mainstay like Portis, the lineup won’t change significantly without a sacrifice of this magnitude.
“Some say this deal doesn’t change the Bucks significantly. It’s a valid criticism for now, but this deal could open up the possibility of significant changes in the near future.
As you can see, this trade would also involve sending Andre Jackson Jr. to Golden State, which would certainly be unpopular with Bucks fans, who have been calling on head coach Doc Rivers to give him more playing time.
However, Buckley rightly notes that this deal may not immediately improve the Bucks’ lineup significantly. He also says the proposed deal will depend on how management views Moses Moody, who is a good shooter (36% from three) but didn’t see much playing time last season.
While Portis will remain at the center of trade talks, especially since he is eligible for a contract extension, it’s tough to imagine Milwaukee trading him for players who won’t collectively be able to match his impact.
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