Rumors are rife with what the Milwaukee Bucks may do this offseason. It all centers around Giannis Antetokounmpo and what he decides to do.
The mid-season acquisition of Kyle Kuzma has not worked. He never got going in the regular season, and the postseason performances were just woeful. However, the door has opened up financial flexibility, and the Bucks have the most freedom to make moves in a long time.
In the Kuzma-Khris Middleton trade, the Bucks acquired a trade exception of roughly $7.2 million, per The Athletic. This allows the Bucks to take on a player up to that salary. They have three players with player options and many more either hitting free agency or on non-guaranteed contracts.
Those decisions will impact what they do with the trade exception. With all that said, let's look at a player at each position that the Milwaukee Bucks can try to acquire.
PG - Jose Alvarado ($4.5 million)
Since Jrue Holiday was traded for Damian Lillard, the Bucks have struggled to find a solid defensive guard who can also provide offense. Patrick Beverley was acquired during the 2023-24 season, and that didn't work. Andre Jackson Jr. showed brilliant defensive skills but failed to add any offensive game this season. Someone of interest should be New Orleans Pelicans point guard Jose Alvarado.
The 26-year-old brings great defense and hustle, while still possessing a smooth shot and facilitating. This season, he averaged 10.3 points, 4.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 24 minutes per game. Alvarado's shooting splits of .392/.359/.811 are also really strong.
New Orleans had a tough season, battling injuries and finally moving Brandon Ingram. It is tough to see them being able to push many of the teams in the Western Conference, which could open the door for someone like Alvarado to be moved as they look to rebuild.
SG - Ochai Agbaji ($6.3 million)
Ochai Agbaji had a solid season for the Toronto Raptors, averaging 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists on shooting splits of .498/.399/.708. The Raptors showed their quality at times this season, but it was clear they were trying to tank with head coach Darko Rajakovic pulling starters in close games. This may make it difficult for the Milwaukee Bucks to trade for Agbaji, as the Raptors will clearly be hoping to make the playoffs in 2025-26.
The 6-foot-5 wing can be a nice scorer off the bench for Milwaukee. Gary Trent Jr. was great this year, and the Bucks will hope to keep him. If he gets offered more money elsewhere, then Agbaji could be someone they look towards. He is a free agent after next season, and the Raptors have a lot of money tied up in Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram. This could make Agbaji expendable; he would be a nice fit off the bench in Wisconsin.
SF - Saddiq Bey ($6.1 million)
This is a risky one, but Saddiq Bey has shown really good qualities as a scorer at all three levels. He missed this season with an ACL tear back in March of 2024. Despite this, the Washington Wizards still signed him to a three-year, $20 million deal, which saw him return to the court with their G-League team in March of this year.
In the 2023-24 season with Atlanta, Bey averaged 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists on shooting splits of .416/.316/.837. Washington is very much in rebuild mode as it looks to build a young core that could be bolstered by the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft. Milwaukee would have to be careful with Bey after his injury, and we know the Bucks' luck with injuries has not been good. It may be a move to look at once Bey starts finding his footing after the injury.
PF - Haywood Highsmith ($5.6 million)
The Miami Heat have had their most tumultuous season in a long time. Jimmy Butler was the constant story throughout, and those around the team have said the saga did impact their performance. They have not been afraid to make moves in the past, but now they are in a tough spot as to where their roster is following their one-sided series with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Haywood Highsmith has grown into one of those "Heat culture" type players. In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists on shooting splits of .458/.382/.721. The 6-foot-7 wing also provides a big body defensively, with a defensive rating of 113.6 this season. He may not be the flashiest of additions, but Taurean Prince's departure and Kuzma's disappointing play can open the door for a reliable player like Highsmith.
C- Mark Williams ($6.3 million)
Another target to be wary of is Mark Williams. The Charlotte Hornets center was, of course, in the headlines at the trade deadline following his trade to the Los Angeles Lakers being rescinded due to injury concerns. Again, Milwaukee has had awful luck with injuries, and that in itself might put them off the idea of adding Williams. Yet, if he were healthy, a frontcourt that has Williams, Jericho Sims and Tyler Smith is full of athleticism and versatility that the Milwaukee Bucks need.
In 44 games this season, he has averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. Across his three seasons in the NBA, Williams has played just 106 games and is regularly on the injury report. His former teammate Nick Richards was acquired by the Phoenix Suns at the trade deadline and earns just $5 million. A terrible season for the Suns has questioned the future of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. If they look to reset, Richards could be a move Milwaukee pivots towards.
There are plenty of players available for under $7.2 million that the Bucks can try to trade for. Any move won't be a big splash, but the playoffs showed the Milwaukee Bucks need more depth and guys who can contribute. These five are just a few that they should be considering.
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