Sometimes, NBA players can make fans of their team uneasy. In this age of unlimited access to their thoughts, they’ll say things. Sometimes, they don’t say the things that their fans want to hear. Recently, Giannis Antetokounmpo made some comments that Bucks fans did not want to hear.
The superstar basically commented that if the Bucks aren’t on pace to win an NBA title when his contract expires, he’ll take his talents elsewhere. No, the sky is not falling in Milwaukee. This team is very much in contention for the NBA title. At the same time, they need to have a new sense of urgency. The pressure is on for this organization.
What should they do? Well, the Bucks could use a little more flexibility. At the moment, this team is short on draft capital and young players. The Bucks don’t have the ammunition to make a major win-now trade. In order to get that ammunition, they may have to suffer a short-term setback. Could they start by trading Jrue Holiday to the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Trade Proposal
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: G D’Angelo Russell, F Rui Hachimura, F/C Jarred Vanderbilt, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Jrue Holiday
Meanwhile, older Bucks fans are having flashbacks. This team once had a superstar who’d eventually pine for a bigger market. He even won a championship with the Bucks – and still left them. Of course, we’re talking about the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
When he was a Buck, he went by Lew Alcindor. Eventually, he seemed to feel that Milwaukee wasn’t cosmopolitan enough for him. Abdul-Jabbar departed for the Lakers. That likely wasn’t a surprise to anyone. After all, the Lakers have historically had a knack for attracting superstar talent.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Look at how LeBron James got there. This team was in no position to contend for an NBA title when James joined them. He went there anyway. The rest is history: The Lakers won a title behind James and Anthony Davis. Could they win another by adding Holiday?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
The Bucks may have a newfound sense of urgency. The Lakers should feel a more dire sense of the same. James only has, at the most, a few seasons left in the NBA. The upcoming year could be his last. The Lakers have got to move.
This is a significant upgrade for them. Holiday is the best player in this trade. He’s able to provide comparable shot creation and playmaking to Russell. Still, there’s a large difference between the two. Russell is a mediocre defender at best, whereas Holiday is one of the best defensive guards in the NBA.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Does parting with Hachimura and an unprotected first sting? Sure. The Lakers will be ill-prepared for the future following this deal. At the same time – they’re the Lakers. Again, things have a way of working out for this organization. That isn’t necessarily the case for the Bucks. Can they really afford to lose Holiday?
Why The Milwaukee Bucks Do The Deal
Sometimes, you’ve got to take a step backward in order to take two steps forward. That’s what the Bucks are doing here. They’re moving the best player in this trade in a bid to improve their asset base. In time, they’ll look to acquire a player who’s comparable to Holiday in terms of impact, but different in terms of style.
After all, Holiday may not be the best fit alongside Antetkoumnpo. Sure, the duo won an NBA title together. That doesn’t change the fact that Holiday’s inconsistent shooting can be an issue for this organization. The Bucks may want to target a star who’s a reliable threat from downtown.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
In the meantime, the Bucks won’t plunge to the bottom of the standings following this deal. They’re improving their depth at the expense of Holiday. If these pieces click, they could still contend for the title next season while also improving their asset base. Hopefully, that’ll inspire Antetokoumnpo to say something a little more positive soon.
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