The Milwaukee Bucks could use a small forward to put the finishing touches on this retooled roster, and Royce O'Neale of the Phoenix Suns should be on their radar. Although desirable, constructing a package is far from a walk in the park, especially with Kyle Kuzma having to be the primary outgoing piece in any trade.
Bucks' path to O'Neale is tough to imagine, though not impossible
Per NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein, O'Neale is one of the veterans the Suns are dangling in trade talks across the NBA. The Bucks, who currently employ Taurean Prince and Chris Livingston as their only true small forwards, could use another body. An experienced veteran like O'Neale could be the perfect starting three to make this team even more versatile.
A career 38.8 percent 3-point shooter who is also as switchable as they come defensively, O'Neale is the type of plug-and-play role player any team would love to have. Milwaukee should be all over him. The front office has clearly made it a priority to get as versatile as they can this summer, and they always want more shooting around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Royce O'Neale helps with both spots.
The problem is that Phoenix likely isn't keen on Kyle Kuzma, who will make $22.4 million compared to O'Neale's $10.1 million. At the moment, Kuzma is Milwaukee's most obvious trade chip. A good bit of the roster just signed new deals, so they are unable to be traded. Andre Jackson Jr. and Tyler Smith are on cheap rookie deals, so they cannot net major value in return as standalones.
Of course, the Suns also shouldn't get their hopes up that the Milwaukee Bucks would even entertain trading away Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Unless Phoenix is getting Grayson Allen and the remaining three seasons of his contract, which includes a $16.8 million salary for next year, off the books, they would have little incentive to make such a deal. Milwaukee is also short on draft capital at the moment, and they certainly shouldn't dangle their prized 2031 pick in such talks.
Milwaukee could offer a deal of Kyle Kuzma, Andre Jackson Jr., and their 2026 second round pick via Utah, which is top 55 protected, for Grayson Allen and Royce O'Neale. The trade would save Phoenix some money in both the long and short term, though it's likely still not enough to get them on the phone for too long. This doesn't have to be the exact framework, as three-plus team deals are all the rage in today's NBA, but the Milwaukee Bucks should look to initiate some movement.
A clear-cut starting small forward could make this team dangerous.
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