In years past, the Milwaukee Bucks have kept Giannis Antetokounmpo happy by trading for top stars, such as Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard. In their latest mock trade, Bleacher Report's Dan Favale has proposed the Bucks follow the same route by trading for Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal. Yet, this trade may have the opposite impact.
Phoenix Suns Receive: Damian Lillard, Milwaukee's 2031 first-round pick, Milwaukee's 2031 second-round pick
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Bradley Beal (no-trade clause)
Utah Jazz Receive: Chris Livingston, 2026 second-round pick (less favorable of Denver and Golden State, via Phoenix)
The Bucks should stay away from Bradley Beal
There's a reason Beal remained in Phoenix despite the Suns shopping him at this past trade deadline. First, he has a massive contract that comes with a no-trade clause. The guard will make $53.4 million next year and has a player option worth $57.1 million the following season. That's a lot of money for a player whose scoring production has dipped in each of the past three seasons.
Furthermore, Beal is often injured. He has appeared in 60 games just once since the 2018-19 season. Injuries have derailed Milwaukee's title hopes year in and year out since the title; adding Beal would be an insane way to try to turn the tide. Another injury to Beal could derail everything for the Bucks even further, especially with the draft capital in this deal.
Speaking of that, the Bucks' pick in 2031 is one of the most valuable picks in the entire association. Even if Giannis Antetokounmpo remains in Milwaukee this summer, teams will eye that pick in hopes of getting it to offer back to the Bucks if the Greek Freak were to ask out in the future. Trading that pick (and a second!) for Beal would be a disaster for the front office.
In any Beal trade, the team taking on the guard's contract should be the one getting picks, even if the outgoing package involves a player rehabbing from an Achilles injury.
A trade for Beal could put the Milwaukee Bucks in a worse position than they are in right now due to the injury risk AND loss of draft capital. This team needs to get younger, more athletic, and better on the defensive end. Beal doesn't help with much of that, and his salary looms large. There are plenty of other targets out there who could help keep Giannis happy.
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