Milwaukee Bucks –Bradley Beal the rumors have finally, thankfully, been put to rest. With that option ruled out, to the delight of countless Bucks fans, rumors continue to circulate regarding Jimmy Butler and Zach Lavin, to name just the headliners.
Signing Butler remains a possibility if Milwaukee is willing to do so, although the Heat star did not list the Bucks among his favorites and appears committed to joining Phoenix Suns, according to Brian Windhorst of ESPN. However, unlike Beal, he does not have a no-trade clause. As he noticed Bleacher Report Grant HughesPat Riley and the Heat can send him wherever they want to get a proper return.
But this isn’t a rebooted Jimmy Buckets promo. Instead, by replacing Beal’s spot in the latest mock trade shenanigans, the Bucks should reconsider an option that has faded from the spotlight in the wake of Beal and Butler’s fixation. It almost makes too much sense.
The Tanking Pelicans’ leading scorer, CJ McCollum fits Milwaukee like a shooting sleeve
According to Pelican summary, it would be a good idea for the front office to find a way to stop winning games altogether in order to pick a lottery pick from a tempting selection pool led by Duke’s Cooper Flagg. The most direct way to achieve this is to replace talent that the team deems unnecessary.
Of the candidates on the list, Damian Lillard’s antique Portland teammate CJ McCollum would be a perfect fit for Milwaukee.
On the season, McCollum is averaging 22.4 PTS, his highest since the 2020-21 season with the Blazers, along with 3.7 REB and 3.8 AST. He is shooting 45.3% from the field and 37.2% on threes.
He dropped 45 on the Jazz on Monday.
Once again, the trade would require trading Khris Middleton, which many supporters of the 12-year-old Buck are categorically opposed to now that the team is winning. After winning seven of eight games, Milwaukee is in 4th place in the East with a record of 24-17.
Some of the above fans will not be convinced and there is nothing wrong with that. Sam Middleton has been playing winning ball with remarkable consistency lately. In the last five games, he scored 13.4 PPG, shot 5.8 APG and shot 60%. However, this does not mean that he is close to the player he was three or four years ago.
To compete for a title — and just as importantly, to survive extended stretches or a playoff game or two when Lillard or Giannis Antetokounmpo are injured — the Bucks may have to do the arduous thing of convincing Middleton to be a legitimate third option. Why does McCollum make so much more sense than the B&B brothers?
McCollum gives Bucks a third star without a contract with Albatros
First, McCollum has a much easier contract to fulfill than Beal or Butler, who is owed $33.3 million this season and $30.7 million in 2025-26. After that date, he will be a free agent.
Beal, on the other hand, is owed $110 million for two years after this season. Whoever signs Butler will have to deal with his demands for a contract extension on top of his $52 million player option next season.
Unlike Beal’s move, acquiring McCollum wouldn’t require jumping through hoops. Dumping Pat Connaughton – sorry Pat, you’ve served your team well – would still be necessary, but plenty of teams are interested in taking his salary in exchange for draft capital.
For example, in a trade with the Nets, the Bucks could send Connaughton and a 2031 second-rounder in exchange for a filler player (Trendon Watford? Ziaire Williams?) to satisfy Brooklyn’s post-trade requirement.
After that, the Bucks will be free to play until New Orleans becomes interested in what they can offer. Would they be intrigued by a package consisting of Middleton and AJ Green and the 2031 and 2030 Milwaukee starters (the latter subject to Portland’s swap rights)?
Non-rhetorical question: Is it too much to give up?
Different route, same result
Alternatively, they could make a relief deal, sending Bobby Portis to the Kings for Trey Lyles and two second-rounders. While Lyles is inferior to Portis, the Bucks could combine those seconds in the McCollum trade and possibly keep Green or a first-rounder.
Whatever the Bucks gave them, the Pelicans would also benefit by simply releasing the star, increasing their winning total when they had to tank for the lottery. Inspired by the return of Zion Williamson, New Orleans has gone 7-3 in their last 10 games, but an overall record of 12-32 doesn’t mean they’re going nowhere. Playing better ball now hurts both their immediate and long-term goals.
The question is whether another team like the Pistonswould be able to offer them more.
The Middleton-McCollum swap creates a tempting lineup
It’s strenuous not to be tempted by a starting lineup that includes Giannis, Dame, CJ, Brook Lopez and Taurean Prince; Gary Trent Jr., Portis/Lyles and Andre Jackson/Green will be benched. Adding McCollum would give Doc Rivers more flexibility in positioning his stars in reserve rotations. And if Giannis and Lillard work even a little less on a nightly basis, maybe they’ll stay healthier in the long run.
The Bucks have been playing exceptionally well lately, but at least on paper they appear to be a better lineup than they were in 2021-22, with Jrue Holiday at point guard and Middleton in top form.
Should the Bucks consider this trade? McCollum has experience playing with Lillard, which eases the post-trade confusion of who should have the ball and when. Critics may point out that the duo didn’t make it to the finals in Portland, but then again, Portland didn’t have Giannis.
Twelve years into his career, McCollum remains an elite scorer and quality third option. Milwaukee said Middleton is not a starting fit, at least for now. There is no doubt that CJ would slide into the starting lineup, giving Andre Jackson or Taurean Prince a more appropriate role on the bench.
At least it makes more sense – from a player health, financial and future perspective – than Beal or Butler. It may not be a high standard, but maneuvering for McCollum is worth more than an afterthought.
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