Even with the NBA season underway, rumors are still circling around the Milwaukee Bucks and further potential moves they could make, but they don't quite make sense.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the Bucks were open to trading MarJon Beauchamp following his quiet preseason and with the third-year wing struggling to cement a role within the rotation. The former first-round pick has only mustered up two minutes and 26 seconds on the court in the Bucks' first two regular season games, less than the rookies and sophomore players.
Beauchamp is earning just $2.7 million this season, so there won't be a big move made involving him. Due to the financial situation the Milwaukee Bucks are in regarding the second apron, his salary cannot be combined with others, so it would likely be a salary dump or a straight swap if the Bucks can find a suitable player to bring in.
He has shown glimpses of NBA potential and has only just turned 24 so a rebuilding team may take a chance on him should they think they can get something out of him. The other rumor is regarding former Milwaukee Buck and title winner P.J. Tucker. The Athletic's Kelly Iko notes that the Bucks are among a handful of teams that have reached out to Tucker's representation.
These two rumors do not go hand-in-hand.
Tucker for Beauchamp doesn't work nor is it a good idea
General manager Jon Horst has been known to bring back former players, and familiarity is always positive, but a trade swap here doesn't work financially, nor would it be a good idea for the Bucks.
The veteran Tucker is now 39 and featured in just 31 games last season with the LA Clippers. He is also not with the team right now, so his game-ready status is completely up in the air. It is similar to the situation when the Bucks brought in Jae Crowder in 2023 after he sat out for the first part of the season, and that did not work out.
With Tucker earning $11.5 million this season, that is a financial hurdle. Due to those restrictions, the Milwaukee Bucks would have to send either Bobby Portis or Brook Lopez the other way if the Big 3 are all ruled off-limits.
Again, that'd be a very bad idea if that were to happen. Bringing in Tucker would just bring back more of the Milwaukee Bucks' problems from last season, with them being too old and unathletic to handle the younger, faster-paced teams. That was addressed with Delon Wright, Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince all being brought in via free agency.
Rumors had circulated regarding Thanasis Antetokounmpo being brought back despite his injury, another interesting move that would be made by the Milwaukee Bucks, but this feels more like Horst just doing some due diligence and seeing what may come from it.
MarJon Beauchamp still might be moved by the Milwaukee Bucks for salary purposes or for another player on a small contract, but Tucker is a long shot. Don't expect a Beauchamp for Tucker swap.
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