Milwaukee Bucks: A busy trade market sets path for offseason changes
As the Milwaukee Bucks reportedly scour for upgrades to retool their roster, a busy trade market is expected to be a central storyline this offseason.
The 2019-20 NBA season is now in the books and now comes the hard part for the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks’ disappointing finish in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Miami Heat has opened the door for the organization to explore roster changes and rumors have come steadily as what may be in store this offseason. But that sentiment may not just apply to the Bucks this offseason.
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As ESPN’s Brian Windhorst recently wrote in a FAQ piece that is designed to give some clarity to this uncertain offseason, there were numerous notes pointing towards a busy trade market that has been simmering for months now.
Of course, the reason why it is simmering is due to the league calendar being disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. NBA teams currently aren’t allowed to make moves with a transaction moratorium in place, which is expected to be lifted before next month’s NBA Draft as Windhorst relayed.
Among the many reasons why a busy trade market is expected to be a major theme this offseason is due to the financial pains that NBA teams will be feeling based on the uncertainty as Windhorst wrote:
"“We haven’t seen a lot of financially based trades in recent years but there could be some of that this season. Some teams facing deep red ink might have to prioritize cutting salary over basketball decisions. Also, teams haven’t been able to make deals for eight months and counting. With a draft coming up, you can be assured there will be some action.”"
A small market team like the Bucks is assuredly among the many teams that will be among those that are experiencing significant losses as a result of the ongoing pandemic. But co-owner Marc Lasry has reportedly assured superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo that the team will go into the luxury tax next season.
With a busy trade market expected to dominate the coming transaction cycle, the pathway is forming for the Milwaukee Bucks to make the necessary changes they desire this winter.
What the Bucks’ potential trade targets look like is far from being revealed and arguably the biggest trade candidate this offseason, Chris Paul, has been linked to the organization. Yet making such a move for the future Hall of Famer has gotten push back from the organization and has seen that thread of speculation subsequently die down.
Meanwhile, who and what the Bucks are willing to part is only starting to be known ahead of such a critical offseason. After yet another disappointing playoff run, the rumors surrounding Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe have steadily grown and it’s reportedly an open secret that the 30-year-old will be eventually dealt this offseason.
Upgrading on Bledsoe is an obvious and easy starting point for the Bucks to reshape their foundation in order reach their goal of contending for an NBA championship amid all of the uncertainty surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee. How aggressive they’ll be looking to make a deal for a more proven playmaker remains to be seen.
As has been hammered home since they departed the bubble last month following their series with the Heat, the Bucks have very little avenues to improve their roster in free agency.
At minimum, Milwaukee’s nearing on the projected cap line for next season. Awaiting the player option decisions for Robin Lopez and Wesley Matthews as well as whether to decide to guarantee the $7 million Ersan Ilyasova is owed next year has the potential to bring the Bucks near the projected tax line.
With little flexibility, the Bucks will have both the midlevel exception and bi-annual exception available to them to pursue additions in free agency. Along with that is the Bucks holding the 24th overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft.
Next. Assessing the Bucks' financial situation this offseason. dark
For a Bucks team that faces incredible pressure to win big next season, exploring the trade market offers them the only viable path towards reloading their roster for another push at an NBA title next year. Luckily, these unprecedented set of circumstances have set it up so that the Bucks will navigate through a trade market that could dominate the NBA world this offseason.