The Milwaukee Bucks are nearing the Feb. 5 trade deadline with a surplus of signs pointing toward the Giannis Antetokounmpo era coming to an end. Milwaukee's last hurrah has failed to yield ideal results, as the team sits at 17-24 at the midway point of the season.
Thankfully, a trade rumor has surfaced that implies the Bucks may not have to wait long to return to relevance if they proceed with trading Antetokounmpo.
Losing Antetokounmpo would be a devastating result by all means and measures. He's arguably the greatest player in franchise history, as well as a pillar of the community. In the event that he's traded, however, the Bucks will need to accept their new reality and attempt to rebuild.
The Miami Heat could make that reality easier to stomach. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Heat are reluctant to move Kel'el Ware due to their hope that he could facilitate a trade for Antetokounmpo.
"Kel'el Ware has drawn interest from around the league...However, Miami and other teams around the league are monitoring the future of Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Heat could try to hold onto Ware in a potentially bigger trade package for the Greek superstar."
Ware may not be able to single-handedly push the Bucks toward contending again, but if he's included in the trade package, then they could become competitive sooner than later.
Heat may save Kel'el Ware for Giannis Antetokounmpo trade offer
Ware is 21 years of age and already one of the more impressive big men in the NBA. Standing at 7'0" and 250 pounds with a massive 7'4.5" wingspan, he utilizes his size, length, and athleticism to overwhelm opponents despite still adapting to the pace of the Association.
Even with the learning curves he's encountered, Ware is averaging 11.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.2 offensive boards, 1.1 blocks, 0.9 steals, and 1.2 three-point field goals made in just 24.1 minutes per game—on .543/.419/.815 shooting.
With Ware and point guard Ryan Rollins, the Bucks would have two high-level players who are 23 or younger. That offers quite a launching pad for the franchise's future success, particularly when one factors in 26-year-old sharpshooter AJ Green and 25-year-old playmaker Kevin Porter Jr. as building blocks.
The question then becomes how Myles Turner would want to move forward, as he could either form a tremendous interior with Ware or pursue a trade himself.
In either scenario, the Bucks could move forward with an embarrassment of riches as far as future and present-day assets are concerned. Trading Antetokounmpo would inevitably mean bringing in productive veterans, if only to make the salaries align, and the surplus of draft picks he's certain to command only enhances the appeal of a trade.
Losing Antetokounmpo will be difficult to process if that bridge is ultimately crossed, but Ware is the type of returning piece who could make the Bucks relevant much sooner than later.