Trade season is rapidly approaching, and everyone wants to know what the Milwaukee Bucks may have up their sleeve.
Though the Bucks are rolling as of late and find themselves in a nice groove, there is always room for improvement. While all of the talk has typically revolved around who the Bucks may target, it's time to look at who the front office may have to deal in order to get a meaningful upgrade. That said, let us rank every player on the roster, two-ways excluded, in terms of trade likelihood.
To be clear, this is not a ranking of the best players or who the team values the most, as it is more so who is the likeliest to be dealt by the NBA trade deadline.
No. 15 - Giannis Antetokounmpo
This should come as no surprise. There's zero reason the Bucks would have interest in dealing their star player in Giannis Antetokounmpo, and after inking an extension this past off-season, he likely has no interest in leaving as well. Antetokounmpo has made it clear that as long as the Bucks front office is committed to winning, he wants to remain in Milwaukee. That's clearly the mission.
No. 14 - Damian Lillard
This one should also not come as a surprise. The Bucks pushed all of their chips to the center of the table this past off-season to acquire Damian Lillard. Under contract for three more years beyond this season, the Bucks are not worried about him leaving anytime soon. Given their championship desires, keeping Lillard is the obvious move. He and Antetokounmpo are almost certainly staying put.
No. 13 - Khris Middleton
Despite how turbulent the past few months have been for Khris Middleton as he continues to work his way back from off-season surgery, he's still very unlikely to be moved. A lot of Bucks fans have been clamoring for the team to potentially move the three-time All-Star as they aim to improve the roster, especially during what was a slow start, but it's just too unlikely to envision.
Since his slow start that included a tight minutes restriction, Middleton has seen a large uptick in his production and playing time. Lately, the forward has been playing like the third option he needs to be behind Antetokounmpo and Lillard. He's still working his way back, and it remains unlikely that he's in a different uniform at anytime this season, as he's still a key cog for this basketball team.
No. 12 - Brook Lopez
The Bucks made it very clear in NBA free agency how much they valued Brook Lopez, handing him a massive new deal to return. So far, they were proven right to do so, as the big man has been having one of his best seasons, dominating the interior as a shot-blocker while providing support on offense as an outside shooter and paint threat.
Although Lopez's hefty salary and value could help the Bucks net a nice return, it would be hard to imagine them moving him, as it would be hard to find a center more fitting than Lopez for this group. He's the perfect center for this team due to his two-way excellence, and he may be too valuable for the team to include in talks for an upgrade.
No. 11 - Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Obviously, a Thanasis Antetokounmpo trade is quite unlikely, but not because he is an all-world player or one of the team's most valuable pieces. Though he doesn't play a ton, Thanasis has become a nice locker room piece for this team, serving as a vocal presence at all times. No matter what fans believe, locker room and bench guys are important.
The Bucks certainly won't be doing anything to possibly make Giannis upset, especially as it seems like their relationship has never been better than it is now. If they needed salary filler in a trade, there are several other options they could turn to before including Thanasis. Some fans might not like it, but it's simply true.
No. 10 - Andre Jackson Jr.
Is this one controversial? Has Andre Jackson Jr. really earned this status this quickly into his rookie season? In the eyes of many, perhaps. A second round pick in this past draft, Jackson has become a nice rotational piece for the Bucks early on, giving the team a huge spark off of the bench. While his role is still constantly changing, it seems like the team has really started to use him more lately.
Sure, if the Bucks are looking to upgrade, Jackson is a piece that could captivate other teams, and something will have to give. However, the Bucks made it a priority to add youth this off-season, and it seems like they may have gotten a draft-day steal in Jackson. They may want to keep the young wing and develop him moving forward, as the potential is limitless.
No. 9 - Jae Crowder
Jae Crowder was having an excellent season before an injury forced him to undergo surgery. Despite his injury, Crowder is expected to return soon and was seen back on the court recently. Given how much the Bucks prioritized wing depth this off-season combined with how well Crowder was playing before the injury, it's unlikely that they would deal him.
The Bucks have Crowder on a steal of a deal, having inked him to a one-year deal worth the minimum this past free agency. If he can pick up where he left off before the injury, that deal will continue to be a significant bargain. As the Bucks aim to find their big wing defender, trading Crowder would be a head-scratching move, unless it's for a massive upgrade.
No. 8 - Malik Beasley
A lot of what was said about Crowder can be said about Malik Beasley. He was picked up on a veteran minimum deal this past off-season, and he's been a bargain bin signing. Beasley is the lowest-paid starting shooting guard in the entire NBA right now. Teams would love to get their hands on a player who can shoot it like Beasley on a team-friendly deal, but it's unlikely that the Bucks would move him.
If the Bucks were to move Beasley, it would likely have to be a part of some larger deal. With all of the other assets, which will be detailed momentarily, on the roster, trading him instead of them wouldn't make much sense. Barring something unforeseen, one of the biggest steals of free agency is likely to stick around with the Bucks.
No. 7 - Cameron Payne
After losing Jevon Carter to the Chicago Bulls, the Bucks picked up Cameron Payne is a move that was viewed as a big win from the start. On a minimum deal, the guard has been a solid piece off of the bench for Milwaukee, bringing scoring, shooting, and facilitating. He's not likely be to dealt, but it shouldn't be ruled out entirely.
If the Bucks were to make a move, Payne could perhaps be thrown in as salary filler. Again, there are other players who might make more sense to use, but Payne's minimum salary means he could be a justifiable throw-in if the money was close. While Payne has been nice, he has not been a piece who would be a dealbreaker in any trade. In all likelihood, he will be sticking around.
No. 6 - Chris Livingston
There's a reason the Bucks made Chris Livingston the highest paid final pick of an NBA Draft ever when they took him this past off-season. While he hasn't played a ton for the Bucks this season, they clearly believe in what the 20-year-old has to offer. Teams could surely ask about him in trade talks, and while the Bucks might not make him untouchable, they'd likely prefer to keep him.
Making $1.1 million this year, Livingston's salary would not be a needle-mover in any deal, as it would be more about the player. It'd be nice to keep him around to develop him and see what's there, but if a team with a savvy veteran defender wants Livingston, Milwaukee's front office could undeniably give it some thought.
No. 5 - A.J. Green
After a successful rookie campaign, the Bucks handed A.J. Green a nice deal to come back that was extremely team-friendly. In a limited sample size, Green has proven to be an excellent 3-point shooter, having hit 42.2 percent of his career triples. Given that Green hasn't been in Milwaukee's rotation too much, opposing teams could undeniably inquire about the marksman.
Just like with Livingston, Green's deal is on the lighter side, making $1.9 million this season. The next two years are also non-guaranteed, which is what makes this so team-friendly. Some team looking at more outside shooters could potentially covet Green in return. Also like Livingston, the Bucks should not make him untouchable, but if they do entertain moving him, it should be the right deal.
No. 4 - Robin Lopez
If the Bucks need to add salary filler to any deal, Robin Lopez will be the first name they throw into the trade package. The big man has not played a prominent role this season and has been serving as an emergency backup center to his brother, Brook Lopez. His future with the Bucks is certainly under a microscope and will continue to be until the deadline passes.
Robin is on a minimum deal, so his salary would not be a game-changer, but that also means that some team could be more willing to take him in because it would be easier to then waive him or just keep him. Given his minimal role in Milwaukee's rotation, the front office likely would not hold onto the big man too dearly, especially if the return came immediately help the team.
No. 3 - MarJon Beauchamp
Many people were expecting a year-two breakout for MarJon Beauchamp. However, it has not taken place just yet, as the sophomore has struggled to stick in the rotation. While the Bucks would love to keep him and develop him, if the right opportunity presents itself, they may feel inclined to move him for a win-now piece, especially given his hot and cold rotational minutes.
Beauchamp is someone opposing teams would like to get their hands on, especially with what little Milwaukee has to offer in terms of draft assets. He just turned 23 years old and has plenty of potential as a two-way wing if given a legitimate opportunity. With a $2.6 million salary for this season, the wing has an affordable deal that should captivate opposing teams.
No. 2 - Bobby Portis
Bucks fans seem divided on whether or not they want Bobby Portis to be included in trade packages. One side believes he's an incredibly valuable spark off of the bench, while the other thinks they could sacrifice the fan favorite if it gives them a needed defensive ace. If the Bucks want to make a massive or even decently-sized trade, he'd likely have to be included.
The big man is making $11.7 million this season, which is solid for his production. Plenty of teams in the NBA would want a Sixth Man of the Year candidate on their roster if given a chance, so demand would not be a problem here. Again, it would absolutely have to be the right package, but if a trade goes down in the coming month, Portis seems like one of the likeliest Bucks to be included.
No. 1 - Pat Connaughton
Pat Connaughton's salary and status as a player make him the likeliest Buck to be dealt by the trade deadline. At $9.4 million, he's got a decently-sized salary, which could be crucial in helping facilitate a deal for a player with a bigger contract. If the Bucks want to make a significant move, one of Portis or Connaughton will likely have to go due to their salaries.
Though he's having a down year, Connaughton is still a player whom teams may value. He's proven that he can help a team win at the highest level by serving as a do-it-all player. A team looking to take the next step or a championship contender looking for reserve help might show interest if he were to be made available. The Bucks would only move him if it were for a key piece in return.
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