For weeks, the Milwaukee Bucks have been mentioned as one of the most aggressive teams on the market ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline. They've clearly needed as much help as they can get in a season to forget so far. However, with Giannis Antetokounmpo straining his calf and likely to miss the next four to six weeks, it's unclear exactly how they plan to proceed.
Obviously, Giannis being out for over a month is devastating. This team wasn't winning many games with him in the lineup. So, the Milwaukee Bucks have two options here: continue to be aggressive in hopes of making a late-season push or keep their assets and play out the next month or so with the group they have and aim to meaningfully retool in the summer.
Bucks have limited time to make decisions on their roster
The belief at the moment is that the Bucks won't alter their aggressive stance. After the game, Giannis said, "Hopefully, the team can at least make the Play-In or playoffs, take it day by day, and try to get better.” Giving up on the season could turn Giannis off. It ultimately hinges on whether or not the Bucks truly believe sacrificing assets can dig them out of this current hole, which just got far deeper without Giannis, but it would be shocking if they just punted on the season.
Following the loss to Denver, Milwaukee is now 18-26, 2.5 games back from the final Play-In spot in the East. Now, a Bucks team that is already 3-11 on the season when Giannis sits will have to climb that mountain without their star. Can they do it? Crazier things have happened, but as constructed, the odds don't appear to be in Milwaukee's favor.
Unless the Milwaukee Bucks are getting a legit difference-maker on a multi-year contract, it would be surprising to see them ship out draft assets at the deadline. Sacrificing their 2031 or 2032 pick for a team that is struggling this mightily would be a head-scratcher. Again, unless it's for a proven player, Milwaukee would be better off keeping it until the summer, giving them more ammunition for a splash.
It's far more likely that Milwaukee's interest in someone like Zach LaVine intensifies. LaVine is a fine player capable of scoring the basketball at a tremendous level. However, his monstrous contract is a significant turn-off, so the Sacramento Kings likely won't get draft capital. The Bucks, who have been interested in him for years, could look to get him for just salary filler.
All eyes will be on Milwaukee until February 5. Opposing teams are still hoping Giannis will request a trade by then, but that's unlikely. Instead, the question is whether the Bucks hold all of their assets close to the chest or spend them to keep their very dim playoff hopes on life support.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.