Lakers' Anthony Davis against Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo
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Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends against the dribble of Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Milwaukee Bucks are trying to turn their failing season around and move back into the playoff race. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s short-term future sees a trade less likely since he’s started to verbally commit more to the team for the rest of this season. However, this has caused more reports about the Bucks looking to be aggressive at the trade deadline to improve the roster.
Respected NBA pundit Zach Lowe has cited Milwaukee holding enough desperation to enter the Anthony Davis trade sweepstake via his podcast:
“I do expect the Bucks to try to buy and if they continue that stance for another month. When Dallas fired Nico Harrison and I went through all the fake Anthony Davis trades, I said right away, you’ve got to look at teams that are desperate to win and underperforming and can bundle some expiring salary.”
Recent rumors indicate that the Dallas Mavericks will move Davis at the trade deadline for the best offer. The Mavericks look like a good team when Davis is healthy on the court, but his injuries have harmed their chances at a guaranteed playoff seed. A trade would help build towards next season with the hopes of getting a future asset.
Milwaukee’s Realistic Anthony Davis Trade Package
The most interesting aspect of Milwaukee looking to acquire someone at the deadline is the lack of assets they hold. Flawed players like Kyle Kuzma, Cole Anthony and Bobby Portis are the big contracts they must move to match other stars’ salaries. Myles Turner is the top realistic name they can send back as the second-best talent on the roster.
However, an extremely valuable 2031 or 2032 first round draft pick is tempting for teams talking to Milwaukee. Dallas Hoops Journal revealed the following trade package that would send Davis to the Bucks roster and give them another star:
Dallas Mavericks Receive:
Myles Turner
Kyle Kuzma
2032 First Round Pick (MIL)
Milwaukee Bucks Receive:
Anthony Davis
Milwaukee would be forced to part ways with a first-round draft pick in the early 2030s. Many teams expect Antetokounmpo to eventually a request a trade long before then. The two-time MVP has expressed frustration in the past when the team had a high seed and fell short in the postseason, so a trade could come if they fail to contend this and next season.
Does Anthony Davis Help The Bucks?
Davis does have a trade market with rumored interest from both the Atlanta Hawks and Golden State Warriors. Atlanta has an easier path to acquiring Davis since they seem content with moving former top draft pick Zaccharie Risacher in a deal to give Dallas a promising young player.
Golden State and Milwaukee have tougher roads. The Bucks certainly must give up a future draft pick that many teams across the league would desire. Davis needs to be fully healthy for Milwaukee to move up in the standings and have a chance of winning even one singular playoff series.
Health has been Davis’ biggest issue, and the Bucks will fall even harder if he gets injured after moving other talents for him. The move is extremely risky, but Davis may give them a higher ceiling than other realistic trade targets like Michael Porter or Trae Young.