The Milwaukee Bucks were the center of the NBA’s attention this summer. When they acquired Damian Lillard, they got everyone talking. This team was expected to be a juggernaut.
So far, that hasn’t been the case. The Bucks have struggled since acquiring Lillard. This team still has time to turn it around, but that time is fleeting.
Let’s assume that the Bucks fell short of expectations in 2023-24. What will they do next? The Bucks are cap-strapped and light on assets. Could they send Khris Middleton to the New York Knicks to manage their cap?
NBA Trade Proposal
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: F Bojan Bogdanovic
New York Knicks Receive: G/F Khris Middleton
The Bucks may have stolen the headlines this summer. The Knicks have been making up for lost time. They’ve been one of the busiest teams in the NBA throughout 2023-24.
First, the Knicks acquired O.G. Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors. At the deadline, they acquired Bogdanovic from the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks haven’t traded for a superstar, but they have made some very consequential moves.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks Updates
What will they do next? That’s the question. If the Knicks don’t make a deep playoff run this year, they could make a move for a superstar in the summer. Should they trade for Middleton instead?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
The Knicks are a defensive-minded team. That’s typically the case when you employ Tom Thibodeau as your head coach. That’s what made acquiring Bogdanovic slightly puzzling – he isn’t much of a defender.
Perhaps the Knicks felt that they needed the floor spacing. If so, they may prefer to flip Bogdanovic for a shooter who can defend. Middleton isn’t quite who he was in his prime, but he’s still a better defender than Bogdanovic.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks Updates
Who knows? He may even return to form. It’s unclear whether Middleton has regressed, or is struggling to fit in alongside Lillard. Should the Bucks risk watching him get back to his previous level on another team?
Why The Milwaukee Bucks Do The Deal
By contrast, the Bucks acquired Lillard to give their offense a boost. It came at the expense of their defense. The team sent Jrue Holiday out in exchange for Lillard. Now, we’ve got them downgrading their defense again.
Sure. The main point for the Bucks here is to manage their cap. Bogdanovic’s deal is both smaller and shorter than Middleton’s. This team needs some wiggle room on their cap sheet, and this deal helps them find it.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks Updates
At the same time, Bogdanovic could give their offense another boost. The Bucks are too talented to rebuild – this is about retooling. Let’s see if they get NBA fans talking about them again this summer.
