Grade The Trade: Bucks add two-time All-Star in a deal with rivaling Bulls

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 28 (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 28 (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
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Milwaukee Bucks: Wesley Matthews, Chicago Bulls: Zach LaVine
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 16 (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The grade on this deal between the Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls

This is not a good trade for the Milwaukee Bucks.

There are Bucks fans who would argue that trading Middleton for LaVine straight up would be an immediate mistake. That’s certainly a fine debate, but adding all of the other pieces to this deal is not reasonable by any stretch. That’s not a knock on LaVine; it would just be insane for the Bucks to unload everything in their asset stash in this proposed deal.

Grayson Allen could be moved under the right circumstances, but MarJon Beauchamp and the first round pick in 2029 need to be protected more. Those are two incredibly valuable assets that must not be parted with unless it’s for something greater. In particular, Beauchamp could end up being a very important contributor for the Milwaukee Bucks next season and beyond.

If the Milwaukee Bucks were to do anything like this involving this many pieces, it would have to be for a bonafide star who could be a needle-tipper. They’d be getting worse in this deal while also losing out on several of their best assets. This is a HARD pass.

BTBP Grade: F

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