From very early on this season, the Milwaukee Bucks were mentioned in trade rumors.
Since their recent rejuvenation and win in the NBA Cup Championship, those talks have settled down, but rest assured, general manager Jon Horst is doing his due diligence behind the scenes. The Bucks will, as always, leave no stone unturned in their quest for an upgrade as the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline inches closer. Horst very well may be working the phones right now.
Yet, when discussing targets, it's important to understand where exactly Milwaukee stands and who exactly could realistically be on their radar. In his latest article, Bleacher Report's Greg Swartz listed Jerami Grant, Marcus Smart and Cam Johnson as Milwaukee's likely top three targets in a hypothetical prediction, stating that the Bucks should be looking to move off of Khris Middleton.
Moving Khris Middleton? The Milwaukee Bucks will likely hang onto him
Fans can certainly make a case for and against the Milwaukee Bucks trading away Khris Middleton, especially with his slow start to the season.
The Milwaukee Bucks themselves have even entertained the idea recently, as they were reportedly shopping the forward in a trade for Bradley Beal in 2023. However, Beal may be a rare case. With three All-Star nods and one All-NBA selection under his belt, Beal was a certified star. If someone with that much recognition becomes available, perhaps Milwaukee would then entertain trading Middleton.
Yet, even if a star hits the market, such as the current trade rumors floating around about Miami Heat wing Jimmy Butler, the Bucks might not even have a chance in the running due to the second apron restrictions. Anyone that the Bucks might trade Middleton for has to make under $31.7 million, and there simply aren't many clear-cut stars making that much in the NBA these days.
While Smart, Grant and Johnson are all excellent players who could help this team, it's reasonable to question whether they would be worth giving up Middleton for. Sure, Khris Middleton has the injury concerns that continue to loom large, but everyone saw what he did when he was last healthy in the NBA Playoffs last season. That player can be a difference-maker. He just has to work his way there.
Though a Middleton trade shouldn't be off the table entirely, it's much more realistic to think of deals involving other role players. Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton and MarJon Beauchamp are all far more realistic options right now. Even if their salaries individually may not help Milwaukee net the splashiest return in a deal, there are enticing options out there.
If the Milwaukee Bucks can get Khris Middleton back to his playoff form, they might need just one or two role players around the edges to take this team back to their championship glory.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.