In Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks with the Miami Heat, the initial thought process centered on the Milwaukee Bucks rerouting Tyler Herro to a third team for additional capital. Not so fast. Per Jake Fischer (subscription required), Herro and the Bucks have mutual interest in a partnership that would bring the Wisconsin native home. The Bucks must decide what they want more.
Herro or another draft pick? What means more?
If the Milwaukee Bucks were to reroute Herro, the Pistons keep popping up as a team that would like to get involved. In a hypothetical three-teamer with Miami and Milwaukee, Detroit could send Isaiah Stewart, Caris LeVert, and the 21st overall pick in this draft to the Bucks. Is that more valuable than the Bucks just keeping Herro themselves? There is a case for both sides.
Keeping Herro would give the Bucks a 26-year-old former All-Star who might be extra motivated to be back in his home state. The guard has averaged over 20 points per game in each of the last five seasons and would give Milwaukee a source of instant offense. If Giannis departs, someone will have to carry the load, and Herro could immediately be the Bucks' top option.
Trading the guard to Detroit would also make sense, especially if the Milwaukee Bucks are going all-in on youth. Fischer has reported previously that the Bucks are looking to collect as many picks in this upcoming draft as they can. In this scenario, they would have picks 10, 13, and 21, giving them three opportunities to select an impact player. Stewart and LeVert are also fine filler pieces.
It depends what the Milwaukee Bucks want.
Bucks' draft desire may overrule Herro interest
In any other draft year, the Milwaukee Bucks would likely take Herro. However, this is one of the best draft classes in many years, and the entire first round is projected to have impact players. A chance to acquire not one, not two, but three players within the first 21 picks has to be a scenario this front office is salivating over.
Herro would make sense if the Bucks were in a position to potentially contend after Giannis, but that feels like a long shot. Instead, going all-in on youth by hoping someone like Cameron Carr or Chris Cenac Jr.—a player the Bucks have worked out—falls to 21 feels far likelier. It helps that Fischer mentions Stewart is someone Milwaukee is also interested in, which could make this decision easier.
Giannis to Miami still isn't a guaranteed thing, but if it does happen, figuring out what to do with Herro will be a key part of the process.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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