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Milwaukee Bucks: The guide to 2021 trade season

By Brian Sampson

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 20, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. Milwaukee won the game 126-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 20: Head coach Mike Budenholzer of the Milwaukee Bucks while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 20, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. Milwaukee won the game 126-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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For the first time in three years, the Milwaukee Bucks are struggling a bit in the regular season. They are fresh off a five-game losing steak that saw them drop at least three games they should’ve won. This has fans in somewhat unfamiliar territory and calling for the team to make a dramatic change.

One of the most common measures of change being called for is the Bucks to make a trade and upgrade their roster. With the trade deadline a little under a month away–March 25th–there is still plenty of time for the Bucks to strike a deal. However, it’s unlikely they make a move due to a number of reasons.

First, the Bucks went all in over the shortened offseason when they acquired Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans. In order to get the two-way guard, they gave up Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, three future first-round picks and two pick swaps. That’s left their cupboard pretty bare.

If you want the Milwaukee Bucks to make a trade before the deadline, make sure you check this out to know what they can and can’t do.

So before you dive into the trade machine this trade season, familiarize yourself with the following information about what Milwaukee can and can’t do:

  • They CAN’T trade a first-round pick
  • They have second-rounders available in 2023, 2024, 2025 (Pacers), and 2027
  • They can’t receive more than $442,000 (roughly) in any trade. That’s their hard cap this season.

Also of note is that because of their difficult financial situation, they can’t sign any new players from the buyout market or otherwise until April 7th. Lastly, and I’m not sure how relevant this is or will be, they can’t acquire Bledsoe or Hill via any trade or buyout until next season.

This has put the Bucks in a very difficult position as they have searched for upgrades to their roster and have rumored to be interested in someone like P.J. Tucker. Unfortunately, players at the top of their trade assets include Brook Lopez ($12.7 million this season), D.J. Wilson ($4.5 million), and Donte DiVincenzo ($3 million). Among them, DiVincenzo is the only player really worth anything to other teams, but Milwaukee better make sure they get back more than an aging player on an expiring contract if they move him.

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When it’s all said and done, I’m not saying the Bucks can’t and won’t make a trade. I’m just saying it will be extremely difficult and is probably unlikely because of all the restrictions they’ve placed on themselves to get to this point.

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