The Milwaukee Bucks are still paying for the Jrue Holiday trade, which will always be worth it due to the title that immediately followed. In Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman's new mock draft, the New Orleans Pelicans land the second overall pick via the Bucks, which they use on Jordan Smith Jr. It sure doesn't sound like Bleacher Report will be too high on Milwaukee next season.
B/R expects the Bucks to have a down year
If New Orleans, who owns the Bucks' 2027 first-rounder outright, lands the second pick in the draft, it will be because Milwaukee had a poor season. Before the season even starts, it is hard to find anyone who thinks the Bucks could exceed expectations. They might not be title contenders in year one without Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the bottom of the barrel could also be far-fetched.
Without the rights to their own pick this season, the Milwaukee Bucks will not sit back and suffer. They are not in a position to tank. Everyone in this organization will push to win games, and they might still have a trick up their sleeve to further beef up the roster with a Peyton Watson acquisition. This team, especially with Taylor Jenkins, could be better than many project them to be.
Of course, the Bucks have to prove themselves, but they are seemingly embracing all of the doubt.
Bucks are almost done paying for Holiday deal
What happens with this pick will be the last domino in the Holiday trade, which happened way back in 2020. The Milwaukee Bucks gave up a significant haul for the guard, including Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, first-rounders in 2020, 2025, and 2027, as well as swaps in 2024 and 2026. Once the Pelicans make that selection, if they don't trade the pick, the full details of this trade will finally be revealed.
If given the chance, the Milwaukee Bucks would certainly make it again. Despite everything that has transpired over the years, the Holiday trade is not among Milwaukee's missteps. The guard came to the franchise when they were desperate and helped them snap a title drought that had been in place for 50 years. His contributions in that thrilling run will never be forgotten.
Even if the Pelicans end up with an incredibly high pick in this draft, the Bucks won't kick themselves for giving it to them at all.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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