Many expected the Milwaukee Bucks to have a pretty quiet off-season, but they’ve already been linked to one of the biggest names potentially on the market.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Bucks are a potential trade suitor for two guard Bradley Beal if the Washington Wizards move him. This could very well be the Bucks simply doing their due diligence, but they could also have some genuine interest in the veteran. If so, here are a few reasons why they should pursue a trade for the three-time All-Star guard.
No. 1 – The rumored asking price is low
The Bucks do not have a lot of tradeable assets to utilize. As it pertains to their draft picks, a 2029 first round pick is among the lone desirable pieces they can trade. As for their players, Milwaukee has a few notable ones, such as Jrue Holiday, Bobby Portis, and Grayson Allen, but it’s unclear just how those players are viewed across the league. With few avenues to improve, the Bucks have to check in when a player’s rumored asking price is low, which is the case here with Beal.
Per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, if Beal gets traded within the next few weeks, he believes people will be surprised by just how low Washington’s asking price is. He cited Beal’s no-trade clause and his monstrous contract as reasons why. While it’s still unclear as to what that asking price is, the Bucks would be wise to try and get an All-Star caliber player on a discount if they can. Yes, Beal’s contract certainly is no joke – he’s about to be in the second year of a massive five-year extension – but that could work in Milwaukee’s favor here if they can snag him for the low.
After seeing the trade packages teams have coughed up for Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and Kevin Durant over the past year, it’s clear that the Bucks did not have a chance to acquire any of those players. However, if these rumors about Beal’s asking price are true, the Bucks have a shot to add a legitimate All-Star-caliber player and get better.
No. 2 – Giannis Antetokounmpo has expressed interest in playing with him
The Bucks have always tried to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy. During the 2020 off-season, the front office did their best to add Bogdan Bogdanovic, who Antetokounmpo had expressed his desire to play with. That deal fell through, of course. That same off-season, Antetokounmpo had shown a desire to play with Beal, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Kevin Arnovitz (Subscription required) reported in 2020. The Bucks went for Jrue Holiday instead, which worked out quite well, but they could once again reignite that Beal interest.
It never hurts to keep the star player happy, especially as he’s eligible to sign the dotted line on an extension this off-season. With several years left on his current deal, Giannis does not have to ink his signature just yet, but perhaps adding an All-Star in Beal could make him do so, especially if his interest in playing with the guard is still there. One would think it would be, as these two would be a lethal one-two punch. Adding Beal would show Antetokounmpo that this front office is doing everything in its power to maximize the team’s contending window, which is just what he wants.
Perhaps Antetokounmpo could nudge the front office to make another run at the shooting guard. At 29 years old, Beal could be a running mate of Giannis’ for years to come; the appeal is clear in that regard, especially as the team needs more youth.
No. 3 – The Milwaukee Bucks desperately need more juice on the offensive end
The Milwaukee Bucks have had their share of struggles on the offensive end in the last few years, especially in the NBA Playoffs. For whatever reason, their production on that side of things simply drops off a cliff when the postseason begins. This team needs a bonafide scorer to help alleviate some of the offensive pressure off of Milwaukee’s top guns, and Bradley Beal fits the mold.
The shooting guard would fit seamlessly alongside Antetokounmpo and whatever other pieces the team may hypothetically surround them with. He can score from anywhere on the floor and would provide excellent versatility next to Giannis. Over the last six seasons, Beal has averaged 26 points while shooting 47.2 percent from the floor and 35.2 percent from long distance. On top of all that, he’s not just a scorer, having averaged 5.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game in that same span.
Some have expressed concern regarding the potential drop-off in defense if the Bucks were to add Beal, as he’s never made waves on that end. However, after seeing the Bucks struggles to put the ball in the hoop for three straight postseasons, especially the last two, it’s clear that this team is in need of a boost on that side of things. Adding one of the best scorers in the game today could be a great solution to that problem.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis and Bradley Beal trade rumors this off-season.