The Milwaukee Bucks aren't throwing in the towel just yet. While most major media outlets think Giannis Antetokounmpo is as good as gone, there is still a world in which he continues to play with the Bucks. That avenue requires Milwaukee to field a competitive enough roster to make some noise in the Eastern Conference next season. It will take some roster renovations, especially via trade.
Here are three options that the Milwaukee Bucks will almost certainly look into.
Donovan Mitchell
After being swept in the postseason, all eyes are on Cleveland and Donovan Mitchell. The Athletic's Fred Katz (subscription required) has reported that the Cavaliers will at least consider trading away Mitchell if he does not sign a contract extension this summer. That could open the door for the Bucks to land a star guard.
Mitchell would give Giannis a true No. 2 option. This season, he averaged 27.9 points and 5.7 assists per game. The guard is more than capable of running an offense and could lead the charge when the Greek Freak needs a rest. Whenever Giannis caught his breath this past season, the Bucks often collapsed soon after. Mitchell could help mitigate that moving forward.
Kawhi Leonard
The LA Clippers landing the fifth pick in the upcoming NBA Draft has many wondering if pivoting to a rebuild is something they will explore. Per HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto, several executives have put Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo "neck-and-neck" if they both became available. The Bucks could very well try to pair them together in that scenario.
There would be some appeal there. While Leonard is nearly 35 years old, which adds some risk if the Bucks trade away valuable long-term assets, he showed this past season that he still has plenty left in the tank. A player who can average 27.9 points while playing elite defense would certainly make for a great complementary star to Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Ja Morant
There is a bit of a dropoff here. Morant is an All-Star player, but he's not on the level of Mitchell or Leonard. The Milwaukee Bucks were indeed among the teams rumored to have an interest in the guard this past season, though a deal never materialized. With so many questions piling up in their backcourt, the Bucks will almost certainly check in again this summer.
Morant would be more of a project than an immediate fix. It all starts with his availability—he's played 79 games over the last three years. When available, there are glimpses of that high-flying All-Star who took the league by storm. Perhaps a trade could be the boost he needs to regain his footing and get back to being a star.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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