From the moment Ja Morant's name first started popping up in trade rumors earlier this season, the Milwaukee Bucks were among the teams interested. With Giannis Antetokounmpo gone, their line of thinking may have changed, but one has to wonder if they are poking around. The answer should be arriving soon, with Yahoo! Sports' Kevin O'Connor reporting a trade is expected to happen this week.
Bucks' offseason plans remain a mystery
Had Giannis Antetokounmpo stayed, the plan was clearly to find him a star point guard running mate. In addition to their Morant interest, NBA insiders Jake Fischer and Marc Stein (subscription required) reported that the Bucks were among the teams interested in LaMelo Ball before he got traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Once Giannis got traded, it's unclear how the Bucks felt about either player.
Do the Milwaukee Bucks still think a big-name point guard could help this team? Do they want to stay put with the returning duo of Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. while deploying newcomers Tyler Herro and Kasparas Jakučionis? The answer is unclear, but the Bucks could offer clarity within the next few days depending on Morant's fate in Memphis.
Bucks don't really need a guard as it stands
Of all the positions on Milwaukee's roster, guard might be the least needy right now. In fact, the room might even be a little crowded. In addition to Rollins, Porter, Herro, and Jakučionis, the team also has the fresh-faced Brayden Burries, AJ Green, and Gary Harris, while Gary Trent Jr.'s future is unclear as he ponders his player option. There aren't enough minutes to go around for everyone.
Yes, trading for Morant likely would have cost the Bucks one or two of those players, but there still would've been a logjam. Simply put, Milwaukee doesn't really need a guard. If they want to make a splash this summer, it should be to beef up one of the forward spots. While they have good players there, those two positions are not as fortified as the backcourt and center spots.
The Giannis trade leaves the Milwaukee Bucks in a place they haven't been in for 13 years. No one has a clue how they will tackle the next several months. Will they keep trying to contend? Will they take it slow and build for the future? No one knows, but the type of other moves they make—especially if a trade for Morant happens—will be telling.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
Add us as a preferred source on Google