For years, the Milwaukee Bucks have prioritized adding stars rather than all-around depth, and it's been a mixed bag. This offseason, they could very well have the choice to lean either way, with new rumors hinting that Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, a player the Bucks have checked in on before, may be more gettable than initially envisioned.
According to The Athletic's Kelly Iko, Phoenix has lowered their asking price for Durant, who will almost certainly be moved this summer. While the Rockets appear to be at the front of any trade talks with the Suns due to their possession of Phoenix's draft picks, the Bucks could certainly swoop in and potentially make an offer.
The Bucks could keep an eye on Durant's situation
It'd be easy to justify the Milwaukee Bucks going after Kevin Durant. Even at 36, Durant played at an elite level this past season, averaging 26.6 points and 4.2 assists per game. Pairing him alongside a superstar in Giannis Antetokounmpo would form a lethal one-two punch and eventually a formidable trio if the Bucks managed to keep Damian Lillard, who is recovering from an Achilles injury.
Trading for another superstar could also potentially keep Giannis happy as rumors swirl about him potentially being willing to explore other options. Just like with trades for Jrue Holiday and Lillard, perhaps bringing in another big name could make it clear to Giannis that the team is all in on now.
That's where questions about depth come into play. With so much money tied into two or three players, it's hard to surround them with adequate depth. As evidenced by the two franchises slated to meet in the NBA Finals, the OKC Thunder and Indiana Pacers, depth is pivotal in today's league. The days of simply stacking superstars for the best result may be over.
Having Durant, Antetokounmpo, and potentially Lillard on the roster could create other weak points due to a lack of flexibility to address them. As evidenced by Milwaukee's short-lived playoff run, weak points can come back to bite you in a hurry. Would the Milwaukee Bucks be better-suited to surround Giannis with a strong lineup of role players over another star?
Many would argue yes, but, again, this is KD, who is still playing at an elite level.
Only time will tell which approach general manager Jon Horst decides to take. Will he attempt to take the path he has followed for many years and trade for a big name, or will he turn the tide and fill out the roster with adequate role players who complement Milwaukee's superstar?
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