There were plenty of moving parts in the blockbuster trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, but one of the most interesting isn't a player or a draft pick. Per ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Milwaukee Bucks now have a $25.5 million trade exception created in the Giannis deal, which can be used to bring in salary without sending any out. What they do with that will be fascinating.
Bucks' plan with the exception should be clear
It would make plenty of sense for the Milwaukee Bucks to canvas the NBA for teams wanting to move unwanted salary. If those teams are willing to attach draft capital to a player they no longer want, the now rebuilding Bucks should gladly take both of those things off their hands. The question is which teams are in this particular position.
One suitor that comes to mind is the Denver Nuggets. ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported recently that Denver is expected to trade one of Christian Braun or Cameron Johnson to make financial room for a new Peyton Watson deal. Braun makes $25 million annually, while Johnson is at $23 million. If Denver added draft capital to either player, perhaps the Bucks could consider taking them.
Sending Brown, who has several years left on his contract compared to Johnson, who has just one, would cost Denver far more in a trade to Milwaukee. Yet, if Denver is willing to cough up the assets to entice Milwaukee, the Bucks should already be on the phone.
With Giannis gone, the plan is clear for Milwaukee
The Milwaukee Bucks have made it clear that they will look to rebuild without Giannis, meaning they will play the long game. It's smart. Contending is out of the picture for at least the next few years, so stocking up on as much draft capital and young players as possible would be a wise move so they can build a foundation in the meantime.
This trade exception is far from the most interesting part of the deal, given the assortment of young talent and draft capital the Milwaukee Bucks netted, but it can certainly be useful in building for the future. Maybe they use it; maybe they don't. Either way, it's a nice option to have in their back pocket as this team gears up for a new era. It could further help them shape the new-look roster.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.
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