3 Reasons the Milwaukee Bucks dodged a bullet by not trading for Bradley Beal

Beal doesn't do anything to stave off Milwaukee's injury bug issues

The biggest threat to Milwaukee this upcoming season is not the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, or New York Knicks. It's themselves. Milwaukee's injury woes have shown fans an inalienable truth about the NBA playoffs: the best ability is availability.

In this case, there is an argument to be made that Beal has been more injury-prone than Middleton at times. While the latter's recovery process has not been the smoothest, often requiring multiple procedures done to patch up one injury, the former seems to end up out of the rotation more frequently.

During the 2023-24 season, Beal played only 53 games due to various ailments, averaging 18.2 points per game—a decline from his previous scoring averages. His injuries included issues that limited his effectiveness and availability throughout the season, which hindered his ability to contribute consistently to the Phoenix Suns. Beal's situation was further complicated by a trade to Phoenix, where he had to adapt to a new system while managing his health.

While Beal is a talented scorer, his recent injury history raises concerns about his long-term viability as a franchise player. Middleton, despite being older, offers experience and familiarity with the Bucks’ system, which is essential for sustained success.

The reality is the Milwaukee Bucks would have been trading for a player who not only comes with a hefty contract but also has shown signs of decline due to injuries, which is already what you have in Middleton to a lesser degree.