The Milwaukee Bucks have collected a nice cache of potential-filled players and solid draft picks after trading away Giannis Antetokounmpo. Seemingly set up nicely for a rebuild, they should not blow up this group unless the price is right. For example, this trade idea from Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes would set them back several years after already losing title-contender status this summer.
Bucks' POV
Milwaukee loses four impact players in this deal for a mediocre return.
Brandin Podziemski is solid, but he's the healthy headliner of this package, and he's nowhere even close to reaching All-Star status. He'll also want a nice raise next summer. Moses Moody is injured with a torn patellar tendon and will miss considerable time. Jimmy Butler, perhaps the best player in the entire deal, is recovering from a torn ACL and will miss time. Will Richard is a fine piece.
How about the picks? Well, if the Milwaukee Bucks were to accept this package, they would actively strengthen the Warriors. They might not win a championship, but with all of these newcomers in tow, one could argue they would be in a position to make the postseason and have a less-than-desirable pick in next year's draft. A pick five years down the road could be interesting, but that's a long wait.
If Milwaukee were in a position where they could land a high pick next season from their misfortunes, then it would make sense to trade away players who could help them win now. However, their pick is in the possession of New Orleans, so if Milwaukee loses, they don't get any benefit. All the more reason to keep the core pieces around and see what they can do.
Hughes notes that Milwaukee should ask for another first-rounder in this deal, and that would indeed make it more interesting.
Warriors' POV
Golden State would love this. With Butler and Moody injured, and Podziemski and Richard looking like just fine role players, next season looks like it could be yet another year of Steph Curry's prime being wasted. Rather than sitting on their hands, the Warriors could at least give themselves a puncher's chance by going all-in on four role players who could help them win now.
Herro is a former All-Star guard who would be a perfect fit in Golden State's 3-point-heavy system, taking pressure off Curry. Jaquez is a Sixth Man of the Year candidate who could provide a scoring punch. Myles Turner could give the team a needed two-way big man. The team also lands a needed backup to Curry in Porter, who had a career year last season despite being injured often.
Getting all of that for two injured players, two role players, and two picks would be a fleece.
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