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Milwaukee Bucks Have Reportedly Shown Interest in Kevin Durant

By Harrison Carter

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 31: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles against Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on March 31, 2022 in New York City. 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 Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 31: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles against Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on March 31, 2022 in New York City. 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 Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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As we are in the dog days of summer with minimal NBA news, it is always fun to hear a rumor that we as fans can discuss to hold us over until the season starts. A fun piece of news came out on Monday involving the Milwaukee Bucks that is definitely worth discussing.

According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Bucks reached out to the Brooklyn Nets regarding superstar Kevin Durant, who is available via trade.

"The Philadelphia 76ers expressed recent interest in Durant while the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets also inquired with the Nets in late June and early July to gauge the price tag, according to sources."

Charania also mentions that Celtics, Raptors, and Heat remain the most serious threats to acquiring Durant while the Grizzlies and Suns have also shown interest.

When a player of Durant’s caliber becomes available for trade, it is the due diligence of any contending team to at least make a call about that player.

In Charania’s most recent article alone, ten teams were mentioned to have interest in Durant. The odds that the Bucks would even make an offer to the Nets or have an offer that other teams couldn’t beat is essentially nonexistent, but regardless, let’s look at what an offer for Durant would potentially look like.

The reality is the Milwaukee Bucks have very little draft capital, as the picks that were sent to New Orleans to acquire Jrue Holiday will start to come due in the coming years. Realistically, the best offer that the Bucks could make would be:

  • 2028 unprotected first round pick swap
  • 2029 unprotected first round pick
  • Khris Middleton

There are tons of reasons why this trade is not realistic. Team chemistry would be a major question mark, as you would be trading Middleton, who spent the last nine seasons playing with Giannis Antetokounmpo and recently won a championship.

Additionally, there are tons of better offers on the table for the Nets with more young talent and more draft capital coming their way. If the Bucks were to offer this package, the Nets would almost certainly push for Holiday to be included in the deal as well, at which point the Bucks should hang up the phone.

Although it will almost certainly not happen, the thought of Durant being paired with Giannis is exciting to say the least. Regardless, wherever Durant ends up will have a huge impact on the Bucks and the NBA as a whole.

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