The sense that the Milwaukee Bucks have been searching for answers around Giannis Antetokounmpo for years is hard to ignore. Since lifting the trophy in 2021, the franchise has shuffled pieces and adjusted direction, yet still has not settled on a stable formula that truly complements its franchise cornerstone. While a Giannis trade would represent a clean reset, the Bucks have resisted that path, choosing instead to double down on Antetokounmpo and keep reworking the roster in hopes of staying relevant in the championship conversation.
That approach has already brought in names like Damian Lillard, Kyle Kuzma, and Myles Turner, as the Bucks continue cycling through high profile additions in search of the right mix. Now, that pursuit could turn toward Memphis star guard Ja Morant as the next bold swing alongside Antetokounmpo.
Are the Bucks in panic mode?
Jan 24, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst address the media after head coach Adrian Griffin (not pictured) was dismissed at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey floated a trade scenario that would send Ja Morant to Milwaukee, with the Bucks landing the Grizzlies star guard in exchange for a package built around Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Harris, and a 2032 first round pick swap headed to Memphis.
Sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee continues to search for ways to add impact talent around Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Ja Morant has emerged as a name drawing leaguewide chatter.
The Bucks have spent recent seasons reshaping the roster with panic rather than patience, often reacting to pressure instead of building steadily. Pursuing Morant would follow that same pattern, signaling another aggressive swing designed to jolt the franchise back into the contender conversation rather than a long term reset.
The risk of trading for Ja Morant
Oct 31, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots during warm ups prior to the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Trading for Morant also comes with real risk and it is not automatically a smart move for Milwaukee. The Bucks already tried pairing Antetokounmpo with a high scoring, undersized guard in Damian Lillard, and that pairing failed to deliver the results they envisioned.
Morant’s availability also remains a major concern for any team considering a deal. He has never played more than 67 games in a season, a mark he reached as a 20 year old rookie, and his workload has only declined since then.
Dec 15, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (left) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shake hands after the game at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
During his Most Improved Player campaign in 2021-22, he averaged 27.4 points but appeared in just 57 games. Since that peak, injuries and suspensions have repeatedly sidelined him, cutting into both his production and reliability and raising serious doubts about how often he could actually be on the floor for his next team.
Morant remains out with a calf injury and has played just 77 games over the past three seasons, highlighting the risk. He earns $39 million this year, with his salary climbing to $42 million in 2026-27 and $45 million the following season. Trading for him would again force Milwaukee to take on a massive, uncertain contract in an effort to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo competitive rather than fixing deeper roster problems.