Bucks trade idea gives Milwaukee young talent in risky deal

Milwaukee has been in many trade rumors over the past few weeks, but there’s one idea that might work out better than the others.

The Bucks’ first-round loss stung for more than one reason in Milwaukee. While losing to the Pacers is bad, Damian Lillard suffered a potentially career-altering injury and put Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future into doubt.

While Antetokounmpo will likely be in Milwaukee next season, the team needs to prove it can build around him again. While many mock trades have projected veteran pieces and high-upside players making their way to Milwaukee, one other route could be the perfect way for the Bucks to improve.

In a recent ESPN article, Zach Kram came up with a deal for Milwaukee to make on draft night. In this deal, the Bucks would acquire two picks, Nos. 15 and 24, from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for the Bucks’ top-1 protected pick in 2031.

While a couple of rookies might not make an immediate championship-caliber impact, they could improve alongside Antetokounmpo next season and be ready to contribute at a high level in 2026-27, when Lillard should be fully recovered and playing a full season.

The deal would net the Bucks two first-round picks as they currently hold none. It would also add some young, cheap talent to a roster that has been mostly viewed as old and overpaid in recent years.

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp

The risk, of course, is losing a pick six years down the line when Antetokounmpo could be gone or out of his prime, and the Bucks could be quite bad. That scenario should also scare the rest of the league if the Thunder are still in a position to contend for a title in 2031. 

However, if the Bucks are more concerned about 2031 than the current team, they should be prepared to get a trade request from Antetokounmpo in the near future. Staying in contention is a risky business, but with a two-time MVP in his prime, taking risks is the only option.