The Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in a dangerous spot after dropping Wednesday’s game to the Washington Wizards. Milwaukee held a slim three-point edge with just over 30 seconds remaining, but CJ McCollum delivered a pair of clutch baskets to swing the outcome in the Wizards’ favor. The loss pushed the Bucks down to 11th in the Eastern Conference at 14-20, underscoring how urgently the team needs a shift to stop the slide.
Could Dejounte Murray really be the missing piece for Milwaukee? 🦌The former Spur might be targeted by the Bucks according to the latest @TheSteinLine newsletter. Others say Murray’s $30.8M salary is a huge hurdle, but the Bucks are once again canvassing the league for upgrades.… pic.twitter.com/HfWWIgRQuH
— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) January 1, 2026
The Bucks have reportedly shown interest in Dejounte Murray before, and league observers have begun to question whether that curiosity could resurface ahead of the NBA trade deadline, according to Jake Fischer. While the Bucks continue to scan the market for a potential shake-up, a move for Murray would feel unexpected and unlikely to address the core problems holding the team back.
After suffering a right Achilles tear last season, Murray, now with the New Orleans Pelicans, is targeting a return sometime in January. Bringing in a player who has missed close to a full year and will need time to regain rhythm would raise plenty of questions, especially if the Bucks continue to struggle and require an immediate boost rather than a long-term gamble.
Dejounte Murray’s fit with the Bucks
Jan 29, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray warms up before a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
The Bucks also have little reason to target another 6 foot 4 guard at this stage. The Bucks already lean on a solid backcourt pairing in Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins, a duo that makes sense to keep together in the starting lineup. While adding Murray could create a dangerous three guard mix with scoring, defense, and playmaking, the roster has bigger holes that demand attention, most notably the lack of stability and production at small forward.
On top of that, Murray carries a hefty financial commitment, earning $30.8 million this season, $32.8 million next year, and holding a $30.7 million player option the following year. That is a steep price for someone returning from a major injury and not the type of immediate difference maker this roster needs to stay afloat. For a team already searching for stability, tying up that much money in a risky bet could create more problems than solutions.
Dec 29, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in a time out during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Milwaukee understands how much rides on its next decision, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo speculation reaching a fever pitch. The move they make now has the power to either send the franchise spiraling into a long rebuild or push it toward a far more promising era of Bucks basketball, making the stakes impossible to ignore.