Bucks predicted to cut ties with Damian Lillard in offseason trade

Every decision the Milwaukee Bucks have to make over the next few months has to be geared toward keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo happy.

With Damian Lillard expected to be out for much of the 2025-26 season, if not the entire year, due to a torn left Achilles, the Bucks have to make some interesting decisions. 

Antetokounmpo’s future with the team is still in question after losing in the first round, but he hasn't asked out yet, and it doesn't seem likely that he will.

Searching for ways to make him happy and show the two-time MVP Award winner that the Bucks are still here to compete for championships, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed the idea of the Bucks trading for Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns. 

The deal would move Lillard and Milwaukee's 2031 first-round pick and 2031 second-round pick to the Phoenix Suns. Chris Livingston would go to the Jazz in the trade. 

“The Bucks shouldn't make this deal in a vacuum. Beal is owed $110.8 million over the next two years—a contract that is decidedly underwater. But subbing out Lillard for him would show Giannis Antetokounmpo that they aren't belly-flopping into a gap year without any purpose.

“Make no mistake, it would be a desperation move. If it's enough to buy more time with Giannis, though, it's worth the risk,” Favale said.

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This should be an instant no from the Bucks' perspective. Not only is Beals’ contract arguably the worst in the NBA, but the Bucks don't have much reason to attach their 2031 first-round pick to this type of trade.