As the NBA trade deadline approaches, one question looming over the Milwaukee Bucks is whether they will emerge as a legitimate trade suitor for Miami’s Jimmy Butler.
While that remains unclear, what we do know is that the Bucks have been actively exploring trade possibilities, particularly one that involves moving Pat Connaughton’s expiring $9.4 million salary, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Milwaukee is looking to send out Connaughton’s contract without taking salary back in return. This move would allow the Bucks to escape the second apron of the luxury tax and create more flexibility for future moves.
It’s a strategic maneuver, but one that comes with its own set of challenges.
“Milwaukee’s challenge is incentivizing a trade partner to take on Connaughton’s salary without getting much in return,” one source explained to Stein. “They’re dealing with limited draft capital — they have just one first-round pick in 2031 and another second-rounder in the same year — so they don’t have a lot of assets to sweeten the pot.”
Despite the lack of draft assets, the Bucks remain persistent in their efforts to create the necessary financial flexibility.
While Connaughton’s deal could theoretically help facilitate moves for the team down the line, any trade will likely require a significant level of creativity, as teams with more attractive assets may have the upper hand in negotiations.
As of now, there’s no indication that a deal for Butler is imminent, but Milwaukee’s ability to move Connaughton and free up cap space could play a crucial role in shaping their roster for the stretch run. If the Bucks can navigate these financial hurdles, they may be in a better position to make a bigger splash before the NBA trade deadline.
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