Been trying out a few trades for the Bucks, to very little success. They have a bunch of underperforming older players that no one likely wants. The only upside to Middlton and Lopez is that their contracts are ending soon, but other than that, this roster is an absolute mess. Wanted to run through their options and see what you guys think.
Option 1: Blow it up, no half measures
Definitely the saddest option if you're a Bucks fan, but maybe the route they have to go. Giannis and Dame get chopped, maybe they get something for Lopez and Middleton, but in this scenario, they likely get an offer for Giannis that makes them feel decent about doing this. They could also pull a Nets-type move when they traded Bridges. Trade some picks from other teams back to POR to get their own picks back. Could Dame and Giannis get them 5-8 first rounders, and/or a youg player that is interesting to build around? Bill Simmons threw out the Nets as a team that could get them a crazy offer on picks, which isn't an awful idea. The Thunder could always try and cash in. I feel like the Bucks would only do it with them if one of their big 3 is in the deal, they have to weaken them somehow. I just couldn't see them handing Giannis off to the best team in the league, without getting any of their 3 best players. Other teams that might have a chance include the Rockets, and the previously mentioned Nets. I don't think the Warriors or the Heat have the ammo for a trade like this. The other option would be a team with a superstar on the level of Giannis, or at least close. Lakers with AD? Knicks with KAT? None of those feel like enough, and if they're blowing it up, they need players/picks that will help their future, not their present. Maybe the Magic through in one of their young guys to get good now?
Option 2: Half measures
Attempt to salvage the season by trading their only remaining tradeable pick, dumping Lopez, Middleton, or maybe even Dame. Maybe they get a young guy that can contribute, or guys that just better fit around Giannis. There's probably a Dame to Miami trade that could work, some combination of Herro, Jovic, a pick might do it. Middleton for Grant swap is something I've seen floating around as well. Some sort of ORL trade would be interesting too, or maybe the Rockets want Dame. The half measures can only happen if they actually feel like it improves their team, which is unlikely.
Option 3: Blame the coach, again.
The reality is, they were 30-13 with Griffin coaching. They shouldn't be this bad. They stil have a top 3 player in the league, and Dame, who's been good this year. The Lakers have treaded water with a mediocre roster simply because they had LeBron and AD. I've seen way worse rosters go much farther than this team, and I'm started to wonder if this is their best trigger to pull. The question is, who do they get? If they want an experienced coach, Vogel could be an option. Not sure how his current deal with the Mavs works. This feels like the most likely option before they make a bad trade or blow it up with Giannis.
Option 4: No measures
The Bucks do nothing, wait for Middleton to get healthy, and hope he's the silver bullet to going on a huge run. I highly doubt they get that much better, but it's possible I guess. He had some killer games in the playoffs last year, so maybe you just bet on his return to turn this mess around.
What would I do? I would probably do option 2 and 3. Get rid of the non-contributing, overly expensive roleplayers, and reshape the roster a little bit. Lopez, Pat, and Bobby. Middleton if the right deal is on the table. What they would get for those guys, I have no idea. Maybe some of Brooklyn's players if they include the 31' first. And yes, I'd fire Doc. Even if they do turn this around, the dude is a mess of a playoff coach. Griffin may have been a disaster, but that disaster was winning games and beating the teams they were supposed to beat. They're not even doing that anymore. If it doesn't work, then the Giannis trade has to be put on the table at the end of the season.