With NBA trade season in full swing, the Milwaukee Bucks are prepared to do whatever it takes to improve their roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, nearly everyone is available for trade, including key rotation players Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, and Pat Connaughton.
“The Bucks have been active this trade season, sources said, with Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, and Pat Connaughton all expected to be available in potential moves to bring back an impact player.”
The Bucks have gone to great lengths to maximize their championship window. After winning the title in 2021, they made several moves to improve the roster and add additional support around their franchise superstar.
The biggest of these moves was a trade for Damian Lillard, who joined forces with Giannis after 11 seasons in Portland. The Bucks broke up a piece of their championship core in the trade (Jrue Holiday) and had to watch as he captured the Larry O’Brien trophy with the Celtics in 2024.
Meanwhile, their situation has become dire as they fight to stay alive in the East standings. After last season’s disappointing finish, the Bucks are under tremendous pressure to perform and validate the trade that split up the championship core.
This season, at 25-17, the Bucks are currently 4th in the East but only a few games separate them from the 7th-seeded Orlando Magic. The Bucks are far from where they want to be right now and the belief is that their only solution can come via trade.
In an active trade market, the Bucks have been involved in several high-profile trade targets, including Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat and Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns. So far the Bucks have yet to make any traction on a deal but this latest move should help open things up.
For years, Khris Middleton was considered untouchable by the Bucks and while injuries have taken their toll, he is still a valuable trade chip who could bring back a massive haul in return. This season, through 18 games, Middleton is averaging 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game on 48.0% shooting.
Bobby Portis is another important member of the Bucks and he was instrumental in their previous title run. Even now, he’s a steady hand for the Bucks who put constant pressure around the rim. This season, he’s averaging 13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game on 46.6% shooting.
If the Bucks are adding both Portis and Middleton to the trade block, it means that they are serious about shaking up the roster and making a big trade to go all-in on the title pursuit. It remains to be seen who the Bucks get in return but the price for their two championship veterans will not be cheap and it’s not a risk they will take lightly.
But to maximize their odds with Giannis and Lillard, the Bucks need to make a move before it’s too late and they only have so many assets to trade. With Middleton and Portis now on the block, it opens up new possibilities for the franchise and puts them in play to potentially challenge for a top seed in the East.
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