Myles Turner's signing with the Milwaukee Bucks was a huge risk, but the fit looked good on paper. However, basketball isn't played on paper, and things haven't quite gone according to plan. Bleacher Report dropped a mock trade that would see the Bucks move on their big free agent signing for two young pieces of the Golden State Warriors.
Turner moves on with the Bucks taking a chance on Jonathan Kuminga
The proposed trade is a simple one, with the veteran big man heading to Golden State in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has long been of interest to the Warriors, with ties between the two teams continually surfacing in rumors and mock trades, but the Warriors lack the assets to make a run at a deal with the two-time MVP. This might mean they pivot to make one last move to help Stephen Curry win one more title.
For Milwaukee, this feels like a trade that would only take place should Giannis leave. They sacrificed a lot to bring Turner in, so moving him on already for two young players that are still very tough to gauge.
Starting with Kuminga, the saga of the offseason regarding his free agency left a sour taste in the mouth of many, with teams not willing to go anywhere near his asking price. He is an extremely difficult player to evaluate, with the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft possessing so much potential initially. Yet, he has failed to find any consistency in the league. This season, he is averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on shooting splits of .431/.320/.741.
The big problem is the DNPs. Steve Kerr clearly doesn't trust him fully, even in year five.
Podziemski is a steady player, averaging 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists on splits of .450/.403/.750. There is room to grow, but his ceiling is likely that of a solid starter in the NBA. Should Milwaukee part ways with the Greek Freak, this trade would likely be something the front office would consider, bringing in two players that can be part of a core moving forward and hoping they can grow. However, this isn't a trade that they should do right now, as it leaves the frontcourt extremely light.
Bucks Grade: C
The Golden State Warriors are in the position Milwaukee has been in: wanting another championship for their star and needing to make bold moves to get there. As mentioned, Kuminga clearly isn't truly liked by Kerr, and they decided to re-sign him while still hoping to get something in return for him if they trade him. Podziemski is a frustrating player for the Warriors fanbase, with flashes of brilliance followed by frustration.
A stretch big man has always been on the radar to play alongside Curry, and Turner has been a name mentioned before. The Al Horford signing has been fine at best, but bringing in a versatile defensive five that is shooting 37.8 percent from deep is a perfect fit for them.
It is not the perfect trade, but the Warriors would be going all out to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Turner would help them. Kuminga's value is the lowest it has been, and keeping any draft assets for potential further moves would be a bonus for them, too.
Warriors Grade: B+
Milwaukee absolutely needs help in the small forward position and has been a team named in Kuminga trade rumors before. This season, however, the wing's value has plummeted, and the Bucks are moving on with their big free agent move that meant waiving and stretching Damian Lillard's contract for two players who potentially could be nice roster pieces in a rebuild but not for right now.
IF Giannis were to leave, then no one on the roster is safe as Jon Horst would have to go into full rebuild. For right now, the Bucks should turn this mock trade down.