If the Milwaukee Bucks trade Giannis Antetokounmpo, their immediate goal should be acquiring as many assets as they can to set themselves up for the future. They should not aim to compete for a title next season because the reality is that it's incredibly unlikely and could delay future success. It looks like the Bucks are flirting with the latter scenario despite this.
Giannis trade talks are currently centered on the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, with Tyler Herro and Jaylen Brown coming up as the main pieces. Ideally, Milwaukee would flip both players to other teams that are better positioned to win now and collect even more draft capital. However, new rumors make it sound like the Bucks would be fine with keeping both, signaling a desire to win now.
Bucks eyeing All-Star and Finals MVP
NBA insider Jake Fischer (subscription required) recently reported that there are murmurs of mutual interest between Herro and the Bucks in talks with the Heat. As for the Celtics, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto notes that Milwaukee would consider keeping Brown if they dealt the Greek Freak to Boston. No one can fault the Bucks for wanting to stay in win-now mode, but this would be a risk.
Herro is 26, while Brown is 29. Those aren't players you typically start a rebuild with, especially Brown. Keeping them would put pressure on the Milwaukee Bucks to win now rather than take their time and map out a plan to return to contention. Asking either of these two complementary pieces to be a first option and win a title would be a seismic ask.
Bucks need to take the smart route
If the Bucks trade Giannis to the Heat, they need to reroute Herro. If they trade him to the Celtics, they need to reroute Brown. In a world without Giannis, the Milwaukee Bucks must play the long game and collect as many assets in the form of young players and draft assets. Being short-sighted and staying focused on the current picture would set them up for a disappointing reality.
Both players would have suitors, which makes Milwaukee's interest more puzzling. The Pistons are a team that has been linked to Tyler Herro in recent days and could give up the 21st pick in this draft to get him. No shortage of teams looking for a second star would give up assets to get Brown, who was the NBA Finals MVP a few short years ago.
Winning now sounds great, but without Giannis, it's going to take time to right this ship. The Bucks cannot rush the delicate process.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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