The Milwaukee Bucks are in a position to do whatever it takes at the NBA trade deadline to take advantage of having Giannis Antetokounmpo in his prime. The goal should be to fortify their team in any way possible to maximize their chances of winning of a second title in his tenure.
There is a lot to like about the Bucks’ chances of making a deep run at the moment. A team with a two-time NBA MVP in his prime with key contributors like Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez is bound to make noise. However, some holes could be addressed on the bench unit that could hold them back in pivotal moments. Adding another guard that can crate could make all the difference.
One name that stands out as an intriguing option for the Bucks to pursue is Immanuel Quickley from the New York Knicks, who has already been linked in NBA trade rumors. There is a lot to like about the possibility of adding a 23-year-old guard averaging 12.5 points on a $2.3 million salary.
As a general rule, rebuilding NBA teams want young players. If you’re a championship contender, you want veterans. That makes sense. Generally, the league’s younger players are less likely to be ready to contribute to a contender. With that said, there are no hard and fast rules in the NBA.
In the right role, with the right teammates, young players can contribute to a winning team. They probably won’t carry the squad. Still, with the right veteran stars doing the heavy lifting, they can help. For example, look at Immanuel Quickley. The Knicks are 25-23, and the 23-year-old Quickley has been integral to their success. Could they send him to an even better team?
NBA Analysis Network Trade Scenario
New York Knicks Receive: G/F Jordan Nwora, 2029 First-Round Pick (MIL)
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: G Immanuel Quickley
Of course, young players like Quickley can contribute to a title run. They generally won’t fuel one. That responsibility falls on the league’s best players. If a player is in that club before their third season, that’s a remarkable feat. It very rarely happens.
The Bucks know that well. It took Antetokoumnpo several seasons to develop into an MVP candidate. By now, he’s arguably the best player in the league. By contrast, the Knicks don’t have a player who even nears those criteria. Still, this talented team has managed to stay competitive this season with their depth. Should they really weaken it?
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Immanuel Quickley, Milwaukee Bucks & New York Knicks
The Knicks do this deal for a simple reason: they don’t have their Antetokoumnpo. Of course, there’s only one Greek Freak. Still, the Knicks should aspire to more than Julius Randle. He’s a good player but more suited for second-option duties on a serious contender.
With that in mind, the Knicks should be stockpiling assets to move for the next disgruntled star to hit the open market. In fact, we already know the Knicks aim to do so. This summer, they almost acquired Donovan Mitchell. Whichever star asks out next, their team is likely to want draft capital in return for him. That’s why the Knicks are flipping Quickley for a first-round pick here. Should the Bucks give it up?
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Immanuel Quickley, Milwaukee Bucks & New York Knicks
Of course, the inverse is also true: the Bucks do this deal because they have Antetokoumnpo. They might as well go all-in on the present. The Bucks don’t know where this pick will land in 2029, and they don’t need to care. They should be focused on the here and now.
With that focus in mind, Quickly would be a nice addition to this team. He’s a dynamic shot-creator and a stout point-of-attack defender. He’ll make the Bucks a better team. He’ll probably do so as their sixth man. This team’s backcourt of Jrue Holiday and Grayson Allen makes good functional sense.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Immanuel Quickley, Milwaukee Bucks & New York Knicks
Quickley can carry the second unit and run with either starter when called upon to do so. Don’t make the mistake of assuming otherwise based on his age. He’s shown to be more than capable of taking on large responsibility in the stretches when he’s been enabled to do so.
