Milwaukee Bucks: Grades and reactions for the Malcolm Brogdon sign and trade

Overall trade grade

In the end, the decision to move on from Brogdon makes for a play with the long view in mind.

Time could prove it to be an incredibly wise move that leads to a more sustainable, long-term period of Bucks’ contention. Alternatively, the failure to recognize the need for a more immediate focus to the shape of the team could mean the team’s future may end up much bleaker a couple of years from now.

Without question, this is the biggest and boldest risk the Bucks have taken in terms of positioning themselves to be Antetokounmpo’s desired long-term home. It sows seeds of doubt that may come back to haunt the Bucks if they fall short of their targets between now and when he could potentially hit free agency in 2021.

From now on, there’ll always be an element of questioning whether Brogdon could have made the difference in any postseason failures.

Some element of full judgement needs to be reserved until the Bucks conclude all of their dealings this summer. Maybe they manage to convince a proven starting caliber veteran such as Wesley Matthews to sign on at the minimum, or perhaps a surprise trade could yet come to fruition.

But based on the current state of play, the Bucks got worse on Sunday, and their ceiling certainly dropped considerably lower.

Credit is due for recouping some value in terms of taking back three picks from the Pacers, and in many ways that may be a saving grace for a move that may otherwise prove to be an ill-timed reluctance to go all in. Certainly from my perspective, it’s the only redemptive factor.

If this team, and Malcolm Brogdon, didn’t combine to provide the recipe for when the Bucks would go all in on, take on bigger risks, and wade into the luxury tax, I’m not sure what ever will. The path to acquiring equivalent talent without giving another key piece up doesn’t currently exist. The tax remains an inevitability for the Bucks if Antetokounmpo agrees to sign an extension, but it’s tough to imagine those moments arriving with a roster of greater talent and potential than last season’s squad.

Grade: C

Stick with us at Behind the Buck Pass for more analysis of the deal, and a wider look back at Brogdon’s time with the Bucks over the next few days.