The Milwaukee Bucks are looking to make some sizeable changes, reportedly, but with few assets at their disposal, they must be careful. Currently, the Bucks hold one of the league's most valuable draft picks in their 2031 first-round pick. If they trade that for a win-now upgrade to try and salvage what is looking like a sinking ship and that move doesn't pan out, it could set the team back years.
Bucks must be cautious with their limited draft picks
Jon Horst, Milwaukee's general manager, is known for his big swings. Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard immediately come to mind. Just like when the Bucks made those moves, Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly pondering his future with the franchise. That makes it unsurprising that The Athletic's Eric Nehm (subscription required) says the Bucks are looking around for a "significant" trade.
If Horst and the Bucks feel like there is a move out there that will get Giannis to commit and can help this team get back on track, they will dangle all of the assets they have. This front office has made it clear time after time that they will do everything in their power to keep Giannis in town, no matter the potential cost. If they have to shed even more draft assets, so be it.
Trading that 2031 pick would be a bold gamble. If they trade it and the move doesn't amount to much, Milwaukee's limited draft capital becomes even scarcer, and if they have to rebuild, they will have to wait even longer without control of their own picks. It's a nightmare scenario, especially if Giannis Antetokounmpo decides he wants to seek what he deems to be greener pastures anytime soon.
That's why this next trade has to be a homerun. Someone like Trey Murphy III from New Orleans, who would be the complementary small forward this team has clearly been lacking, would be a dream. The Zach LaVine trade chatter, confirmed by Nehm, shouldn't be Milwaukee's "significant" move. If a deal goes through, that first-rounder shouldn't even be brought up in any discussions.
The Milwaukee Bucks are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Any move could go down as one of the riskiest moves of the Horst era. He's never been shy about taking risks, and that likely won't stop here, though. Milwaukee's next move could be the most important one they've made in a long time.
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