This Milwaukee Bucks are trying to win another NBA championship while their window is still open. With All-Stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard both under contract for potentially two more years, the window isn’t as wide open as it once was. Indeed, the pressure is on the Bucks front office to put together a Championship-caliber roster. Now.
The problem is that Milwaukee has committed so much money to its current players that they are in the second tier of the NBA’s luxury tax. That means they can’t take any additional salary in a trade, they don’t have any waivers for free agents, and the only free agents they can sign would have to agree to veteran minimum deals.
What the Milwaukee Bucks have done so far to improve their roster
Rumors had it that the Bucks would be trading their picks in the 2024 NBA Draft to lend a hand them acquire a player who could contribute to their roster right away. Whether those rumors were true or not, they ended up using both of their picks on 19-year-old prospects who might not contribute to their roster for several years. AJ Johnson was selected in the first round, while Tyler Smith was selected in the second.
Milwaukee also signed several veterans to improve their bench defense following the start of free agency. Point guard Delon Wright was signed away from the Miami Heat, and power forward Taurean Prince was signed away from the Los Angeles Lakers.
While these two moves have already bolstered their bench unit, there is still some work to be done. The Bucks need to become even more versatile and athletic (and younger), but their options on the free agent market are narrow.
Because of these restrictions, there have been rumors all offseason that Milwaukee would be willing to move one or more of its current core veterans (not Giannis or Lillard), but for such a move to happen, it would have to come at a high price.
Milwaukee Bucks want first-round pick for center Brook Lopez
One player that the Bucks have been rumored to be making available for trades is center Brook Lopez. As mentioned, Milwaukee will be looking for a lot in return if any team wants one of their primary bench players.
That’s especially true for Lopez, who is one of the NBA’s best rim defenders and averaged 2.2 blocks per game last season.
According to Gery Woelfel, the asking price for Lopez is a first-round draft pick:
Sources say the Bucks are still very open to trading veteran Brook Lopez, but the asking price of a first-round draft pick for the 36-year-old center on a $23 million contract is too high.
— Gery Woelfel (@GeryWoelfel) July 5, 2024
Given Lopez’s age and contract, it’s highly unlikely the Bucks will get that in return. And maybe that’s the point. If they’re going to part ways with Lopez, they want something incredibly significant in return. After all, he’s an essential part of their team.
It certainly won’t be simple to replace him.
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