This upcoming season is going to be a bit different for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Eastern Conference. Rivals like the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics are not expected to compete due to injuries to their superstars. The Bucks need to capitalize on this opportunity and be willing to do whatever is necessary to put themselves in a position to compete, even if it includes trading their prized 2031 first round pick.
The Bucks need to be willing to trade their 2031 first for the right return
Aside from superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, the 2031 first-round pick is the team's most valuable tradeable asset. Parting with such an asset shouldn't be done without careful consideration. However, with the clock ticking on Giannis' prime and state of the Eastern Conference, there is a unique chance to strike while things are so open.
Who is the player that would be worth trading such a valuable asset for? Take last season, for example, Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins, Brandon Ingram, Anthony Davis, and of course, Luka Doncic all switched teams via trade. Many of those deals weren't forecasted at all, and there will likely be similar types of deals this season, so the Milwaukee Bucks need to remain ready.
That 2031 first-round pick is one of the most valuable future draft assets in the league. That late into Giannis' career likely means he is either off the team entirely or well past his prime. There is a strong likelihood that pick is in the high lottery, which is a difficult piece to acquire in any scenario.
For salary-matching purposes, the pick will have to be paired with current Bucks players to yield anything of immediate value. Who on the current roster would the team be willing to trade?
Kyle Kuzma and potentially even AJ Green could be the ones paired with that 2031 pick. Kuzma is coming off a rough postseason for Milwaukee, and his fit next to Giannis thus far has been less than ideal. AJ Green has yet to sign his contract extension despite being eligible to do so this summer. Including Kuzma, Green, and the 2031 first, could be enticing enough to yield a massive return.
Regardless of who the Bucks trade and who is coming back in return, they need to be aggressive and look for opportunities wherever they can find them. With so much uncertainty in the conference, getting another potent player to pair with their two-time MVP this season could be enough to propel the team into true title contention.