The Milwaukee Bucks have had an unsatisfactory offseason. With Damian Lillard‘s departure, the Bucks showed some signs of improvement by signing free agent big man Myles Turner. Although this bolstered the team’s frontcourt rotation, it also led to a weakened backcourt.
To address these shortcomings, the Bucks signed Cole Anthony. But considering the overall strength of the roster, it is clear that they are expected to regress in the upcoming season.
This could raise some concerns, especially for Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is intent on competing for a title. Given the state of the roster, the superstar may not have the necessary support, potentially leading to increased frustrations with the franchise.
It is evident that Milwaukee needs to get better, and soon. To facilitate this, we explore a trade idea that would allow the Bucks to acquire an All-Star guard to pair with their star forward. Here’s the trade package:
Proposed Trade Details
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Tyrese Maxey
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., 2027 first-round pick (NOP swap), 2026 second-round pick (UTA), 2032 second-round pick
This deal would only be possible after the first week of October due to Kevin Porter Jr.‘s contract restrictions. But the sheer magnitude of this deal could reshape the future of both teams involved.
For the Bucks, this trade effectively ensures that they acquire a replacement for Damian Lillard. At 24 years old, Tyrese Maxey is an incredibly talented guard with the potential to become a perennial All-Star.
Since joining the league, Maxey has seen gradual improvement with each passing season. As a shifty guard with a smooth offensive play style, he fits the template of the modern point guard.
In the 2024-25 season, the Philadelphia 76ers star was put in a position to take over the offensive load for the team, spurred due to the absences of Joel Embiid and the limited availability of Paul George.
During this time, the 24-year-old shone, leading the way with an average of 26.3 points and 6.1 assists per game, while shooting 43.7% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc.
Considering that this is an increase for his 2023-24 campaign, where he earned his first All-Star nod with an average of 25.9 points and 6.2 assists per game, Maxey has shown that he is capable of sustaining such output.
Joining the Bucks would allow Maxey to be paired with a significantly more durable star in Antetokounmpo, giving both players a chance to build chemistry. When additionally factoring in the presence of Myles Turner on the roster, the Bucks could feature a fairly competent core heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
Although trading Maxey would be considered controversial for the 76ers, they may still find reasons to consider it. Given the concerns regarding Embiid’s future and George’s availability, Philadelphia may opt to blow things up and embrace another rebuild.
Even with Maxey on the way out, the 76ers have a group of talented players to build their new core around. With Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe, the franchise could look to structure its team with the new backcourt pairing in mind.
In this regard, the addition of Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr., and Gary Trent Jr. serves more as a means of rounding out the rotation.
Kuzma could still have a greater role to play. Given his versatility as an offensive player, the 30-year-old is capable of contributing valuable minutes as a part of the team’s second unit. Additionally, in George’s absence, the forward is also a reliable option to slot into the starting rotation.
Last season, Kuzma posted an average of 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 43.6% from the field and 30.7% from beyond the arc. These could be perceived as reliable figures for a tertiary scoring option.
Porter Jr. and Trent Jr. may have a less significant role on the team, primarily due to Philadelphia’s pre-existing guard depth. With Quentin Grimes potentially leading the second unit, both Bucks guards may see a reduced role as scoring options.
Regardless, they are capable of contributing all the same. Porter Jr. possesses a reliable handle on the ball and solid scoring ability. He averaged 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game last season.
Meanwhile, Trent Jr. has established himself as a legitimate perimeter threat. He averaged 11.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per game on 43.1% shooting from the field and 41.6% shooting from three-point range last season.
Should the 76ers embrace a rebuild, the acquisition of a first-round pick swap and two second-round picks from this deal will be quite beneficial. When also factoring in that the three player assets are on short-term contracts, Philadelphia could leverage them as trade assets or even view them as a means of clearing cap space once their contracts expire.
Will Giannis Antetokounmpo Return To Milwaukee?
The Bucks’ offseason was marked by trade rumors involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and his potential departure from Milwaukee. Although these were concerns at the time, the rumors were put to rest by ownership and the player himself.
Antetokounmpo appears to be committed to staying in Milwaukee. But considering the state of the roster, the superstar would be well within his rights to demand some changes.
Currently, the Bucks forward is expected to delay his decision until he returns from the EuroBasket. In this span of time, Milwaukee would be advised to find a way to support its superstar’s championship push.
