The NBA Playoffs are still in full swing, so it will be a while before the Milwaukee Bucks make moves, but it's never too early to start putting together a list of targets.
Not all trade targets are created equal. For financial reasons, someone needing a change of scenery or whatever else, every player can get traded for a different reason. Among players who have floated around in trade rumors or could be on the move this summer, let us dissect a few names who would make sense for the Milwaukee Bucks by putting them in a tier list.
(The Bucks will have to wait to see which players accept their player options and which ones decide to test the market, as Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton, two players who fit the criteria, would be very useful in any trade discussions if they decide to opt in, especially when it comes to a big fish.)
Pipe dream
Kevin Durant: Right off the bat, a Kevin Durant trade seems pretty far-fetched, even though it feels inevitable that he will be on the move this summer. With Damian Lillard out for potentially the season, it would make sense for the Milwaukee Bucks to pair Giannis Antetokounmpo with another star who can take some of the pressure off him, especially one of the best scorers ever.
This would be an all-in move for Milwaukee, especially if they are trying to convince Giannis that they can remian competitive. Durant isn't as young as he once was, but the 36-year-old still had himself a strong season with averages of 26.6 points, six rebounds and 4.2 assists while hitting 43 percent of his triples. These two could be a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Durant's $54.7 million salary would not be the easiest to absorb, but with some new flexibility and an aggressive general manager, it cannot be ruled out.
High cost, high reward
Cameron Johnson: One of the most sought-after players at this past trade deadline, Johnson would fit right in with the Milwaukee Bucks. The forward is coming off the best season of his career, where he averaged career bests in points (18.8), assists (3.4) and 3-pointers made (2.8) per game. A player like that would fit seamlessly next to Giannis Antetokounmpo, giving Milwaukee a 29-year-old wing who can provide complementary scoring as he continues getting better.
Considering they make around the same amount of money, a Cam Johnson to Milwaukee trade would likely center around Kyle Kuzma. That, on its own, is far from desirable for Brooklyn, but if a first-round pick in 2031 were attached, perhaps Brooklyn would be far more interested. As one of the franchises lining up to trade for Giannis, the Nets would love to have one of Milwaukee's picks to use as leverage if the Greek Freak ever asked out.
Even that pick, one of the most coveted in the entire NBA, might not be enough to get Brooklyn to budge and trade Johnson.
Collin Sexton/John Collins: It would be bold, but yes, the Milwaukee Bucks should call the Utah Jazz to inquire about a package deal of Sexton and Collins. These two would give the Bucks the athletic ability that Milwaukee desperately needed last season. Sexton, a guard, and Collins, a forward, would also help in transition, as both are quick and shifty, giving Antetokounmpo someone to run with.
Of course, the Bucks will need some help at point guard next season with Lillard set to miss a sizeable chunk of the year at the bare minimum. Sexton would have a significant opportunity to be the team's starting floor general. Collins and Antetokounmpo could be a fearsome defensive duo when the team goes small, as they are switchable and can make things tough for anyone on the floor.
A deal wouldn't be cheap, as Sexton is set to make $19.2 million next season, while Collins is at $26.6 million if he accepts his player option (seems likely). The Jazz have also been known to be stiff when it comes to negotioations recently, so they may ask the Milwaukee Bucks for an arm and a leg. Still, the Bucks should make an offer in an effort to give Giannis a more athletically gifted supporting cast.
Injury concerns but worth a call
Kristaps Porzingis: Rumor has it that the Boston Celtics might look to tweak their roster this summer to cut costs. While they certainly wouldn't trade with Milwaukee, perhaps the Bucks could do what the Celtics did when they traded for Jrue Holiday after he was initially sent to Portland when Lillard came to the 414. In this scenario, the Bucks would try to add Kristaps Porzingis.
The Milwaukee Bucks do not have a single center under contract, and it's clear that they need to try something new. Adding a 7-foot-2 big man who averaged 19.5 points while shooting 41.2 percent on his triples could certainly be a shot in the arm. The big man would fit seamlessly next to Giannis due to that sweet shooting, and they'd be formidable defensively due to their towering height and length.
As always, the primary concern with Porzingis is his health. Since tearing his ACL in 2018-19, he has appeared in more than 60 games just once. When he's healthy, he's a freakish center and legitimate contributor to any team with title hopes. For a Milwaukee team that has consistently been banged up over the last few years, it would be a gamble, but it could pay off in a big way, without question.
Mark Williams: Sticking with injury-riddled centers, the Los Angeles Lakers had a deal in place to get Williams from Charlotte last season before allegedly backing out due to health concerns. That makes sense, as Williams has only played in 106 games during his three NBA seasons. However, there is no denying how much potential he has when he is on the court.
This past season, he averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. He's a walking double-double who is also a defensive menace. While he doesn't have a reliable jumper, who could make him a bit of a clunky fit with Giannis in a full-time capacity, that should not be the end-all be-all. These two could be a lethal one-two punch on the frontcourt.
Williams' value should have lowered after the Lakers backed out of that deal last season. Set to take home $6.3 million next season if the Hornets guarantee his team option - they likely will - the Bucks wouldn't have to take on a major financial commitment to get him. The primary question would be how much draft compensation the Hornets would want. The Bucks should dare to find out, especially as Williams fits into the trade exception they got in the Kyle Kuzma trade.
Lonzo Ball: The Milwaukee Bucks need a floor general in Damian Lillard's absence. Bringing in one of the smoothest and flashiest passers in the game in Lonzo Ball could be interesting. The big question with Ball is his health, as he appeared in just 35 games this past season after missing the last two in full due to injury. He showed glimpses of promise this year, but those injury concerns still linger.
The Bulls also seemingly value Ball quite a bit, as The Athletic's John Hollinger reported that Chicago turned down a first-round pick at the deadline for the guard. Perhaps their stance may change during the offseason, especially if they embrace a rebuild. Set to make $10 million next season, Ball would be a reasonable target if the Milwaukee Bucks are looking for point guard help.
Reasonable players worth a flyer
Jose Alvarado: The Milwaukee Bucks found success late in the season when they started playing with much more intensity and defensive energy. One player who could help in both spots is Jose Alvarado of the Pelicans. What the 6-foot guard lacks in height, he makes up for with his motor and ability to hound anyone he is guarding. The Bucks could use that type of spark, especially one who could also help fill out their point guard depth.
With a $4.5 million salary for next season, Alvarado is more than affordable, especially with Milwaukee having that $7.2 million trade exception. There's no telling with the Pelicans will decide to do over the next few months, but the Milwaukee Bucks should keep an eye on the situation.
Ayo Dosunmu: Another guard who is scrappy and can make plays on both ends is Ayo Dosumnu, who is entering a contract year in 2025-26. If an extension is not in order, it would make sense for the Bulls to test the market on the guard. He would have plenty of suitors, especially with a reasonable $7.7 million salary, and the Milwaukee Bucks should be one of them.
This past season, the 25-year-old averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds per matchup, all career bests. He's got plenty of room to grow, and he could do so by thriving in Milwaukee as a needed hustle player in the Bucks' banged-up backcourt.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.