Nothing about ESPN's mock trade involving the Bucks and Trae Young works in Milwaukee's favor. In exchange for Young, the Bucks would send out Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, and most unforgivably, their 2031 first-round pick. That's not happening. If anything, the Hawks should be the ones sacrificing draft capital to entice teams to absorb Young's outsized contract. At this point, he is damaged goods, and the Bucks would be beyond foolish not to realize that.
Hypothetical Bucks package is out of touch at best
Young's appeal is left over from an earlier stage in his career, when he emerged as a dynamic scorer and elite passer, possibly yet to peak. The shine has worn off. Young is what he is, and for all the good, there are enormous drawbacks.
On defense, Young is one of the most vulnerable players in the league. He isn't efficient, shooting 43 percent from the field and 35 percent from three in his career. Those numbers are worse this season since Young's return from injury.
He does not contribute much off the ball; he needs the rock in his hands, which is exactly what Giannis Antetokounmpo needs as well. All of the above make him a poor fit for the Bucks.
That doesn't even get into his contract. Young makes $46 million this year with a $49 million player option next season. Undersized, offense-only guards are already declining in value in today's NBA. Young's contract makes him the type of asset teams pay the recipient to take on, not the other way around.
With limited draft capital to work with, the Bucks must reserve their premium first-rounders for moves that actually make sense. Frankly, either their 2031 or 2032 pick might be worth more by itself than Young. Either selection could fall in the lottery, potentially netting a franchise cornerstone, whereas Young is a one-sided player who has reached his ceiling.
Meanwhile, the Bucks already have a dynamic duo in Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins. Their respective breakouts should take Milwaukee out of the market for a point guard.
Moreover, turning two rotation pieces in Kuzma and Portis into one big salary would only benefit the Bucks for the right star in return. Young clearly isn't that. Who would replace Kuzma as the roster's only plus-size wing? Portis continues to scorch the cover off the basketball; he is a sell-high trade chip, not mere salary fodder.
The same math applies to any team looking to package multiple role players in a deal for Young. Not only is he probably overpaid, but the magnitude of his salary also drags down his value by necessitating a two-for-one swap for teams without a matching contract.
The Milwaukee Bucks' package would involve actual rotation players in Kuzma and Portis, as opposed to just salary filler. In that case, Atlanta, not the Bucks or any other suitor, would need to attach sweeteners to move off Young's salary. ESPN's mock trade gets it embarrassingly backwards.