Milwaukee Bucks: Grades and reactions from Jrue Holiday trade

Milwaukee Bucks: Grades and reactions from Jrue Holiday trade – What the Bucks gave up

Starting with the players, the Bucks gave up Eric Bledsoe and George Hill in the trade for Jrue Holiday.

After spending three seasons with the Bucks, it was clear to see that Bledsoe was likely not going to be coming back for a fourth. The veteran guard’s postseason shortcomings have made him a liability when the team needs him most, and the third strike was indeed his last. Fans can rejoice with his $54 million owed over the next three seasons off the books, although only $38.9 million of it came guaranteed.

Nevertheless, the Bucks get a surefire upgrade in the backcourt in Holiday, and Bledsoe gets a much needed fresh start elsewhere.

The other player Milwaukee coughed up in the deal was Hill, the team’s sixth man this season. Hill will be missed as his presence off the bench played a substantial part in the team’s success this season, leading the league in 3-point percentage at 46.0 percent. However, his $9 million salary for next season and partially guaranteed money for 2021-22 made him a worthwhile sacrifice in the trade for Holiday.

Aside from two of their guards, the Bucks gave up a king’s ransom worth of draft capital.

As Marks noted, Milwaukee sent over three-first round picks for the guard, in addition to two more pick swaps. In return, the Bucks are receiving the 42nd and 60th picks in Wednesday’s draft as first reported by The Athletic’s Eric Nehm.

That herculean haul comes with its questions, but was pulling the trigger on such a move a direction that the Bucks needed to take?