Bucks star Damian Lillard
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Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after being injured in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers.
With all signs pointing to Giannis Antetokounmpo staying put in Milwaukee, the onus is on the Bucks to upgrade the roster that will keep him not only for next season but beyond it.
Antetokounmpo made it known his desire to win another ring. That is a tall order even in the weaker Eastern Conference with Damian Lillard (torn Achilles) missing most, if not all, of next season.
With a limited draft capital, it is impossible for the Bucks even to sniff around a superstar trade. But they might just have enough, according to Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, to get a new running mate for Antetokounmpo.
Favale came up with a three-team trade idea that will replace Lillard with Atlanta Hawks‘ four-time All-Star guard Trae Young.
Here is Favale’s trade proposal:
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks receive: Jordan Poole, Marcus Smart, Andre Jackson Jr., Tyler Smith
2031 first-round pick (unprotected via Bucks), 2026 first-round pick swap rights (via Bucks/Pelicans), 2030 first-round pick swap rights (via Bucks/Blazers)
Washington Wizards receive: Damian Lillard, 2025 second-round pick (No. 47 overall via Bucks), 2031 second-round pick (via Bucks)
Hawks, Trae Young Entering Pivotal Offseason
Young’s long-term future in Atlanta is unclear as the All-Star guard is entering the final year of his current max deal. He will be eligible for a four-year max extension worth up to $229 million this offseason, according to ESPN’s front office insider Bobby Marks but he doesn’t see the Hawks paying him that much.
“Unless Young is willing to compromise on his next contract (at three years, $120 million, for example), it is hard to see the Hawks writing a $229 million check to the 26-year-old All-Star.
After Young led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021, they have regressed and the team has already fired their past two lead decision-makers in former team president Travis Schlenk and former general manager Landry Fields.
Better, Younger, Healthier Than Damian Lillard
The instability of the franchise may push Young out in Atlanta where the Bucks could capitalize.
“Young has unlimited range with a similar average shot distance to Lillard (17.3 feet compared to 18.5), which would keep the floor spread for Antetokounmpo to attack the basket. Young is a better passer than Lillard, so he could keep feeding Antetokounmpo a healthy dose of lobs and pocket passes while he bullies his way into the paint.
“Milwaukee finished 12th overall in defense last season and can help cover for Young’s deficiencies on that end, especially if they can re-sign Brook Lopez in free agency,” Favale wrote.
Aside from getting a much younger running mate for Antetokounmpo, this deal would also save
save the Bucks $12.3 million, putting them “roughly $41 million below the first tax apron,” according to Favale. The savings would be enough to bring back Lopez and Bobby Portis in a longer deal, assuming he declines his $13.4 million player option.
On top of that, the Bucks would still have spending power to improve on the margins with the full $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception and $5.1 million bi-annual exception.
This could be the ideal scenario for the Bucks to keep them competitive next season and in turn, keep Antetokounmpo from asking out.