On the first day of the NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks opted to remain inactive, forgoing trading into the first round. Despite the Brooklyn Nets having five draft picks and the Sacramento Kings making a move into the first round by acquiring the 24th pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Bucks chose not to make any trades. However, ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported that the Bucks are currently “active and moving money,” suggesting potential changes may be on the horizon.
Marks emphasized the significance of the upcoming month for the Bucks’ franchise, stating, “For the next month, I’m doing everything possible to add around Giannis.” He pointed out the urgency of improving the team before Giannis Antetokounmpo’s contract approaches its final year, highlighting that waiting until next year could diminish Giannis’ trade value. General Manager Jon Horst is expected to explore various options to enhance the roster surrounding their star player.
The Bucks currently possess several tools for revitalizing their team. They have access to the full mid-level exception of $14.1 million, which could be leveraged to re-sign players like Gary Trent Jr. and Kevin Porter Jr. Additionally, they obtained a $7.2 million trade exception from the Khris Middleton-Kyle Kuzma trade, allowing them to add a player within that salary range. They also hold first and second-round picks for 2031, and if they delay trades until after the draft, they could include their 2032 picks in swap deals, potentially facilitating a significant transaction.
Furthermore, insider Shams Charania noted that Giannis is “open-minded” to exploring options with other teams, indicating his desire to compete for a second NBA championship. He clarified that Giannis’ future is not strictly dependent on the immediate outcomes of the draft or free agency, implying that the team’s overall trajectory will be assessed over time.
As the offseason progresses, the Bucks are poised to make strategic moves to strengthen their roster. For fans eager to see the latest additions to the team, a Playback stream of the second round is scheduled for viewing, ensuring continued engagement with developments around the Milwaukee Bucks.
This period represents a crucial opportunity for the Bucks to align their ambitions with Giannis’ aspirations, as they seek to maintain competitive momentum within the league and possibly add new talent to the roster.