Stephon Castle a Buck!
This trade is a continuation of all the moves Milwaukee’s front office has made this offseason. The Bucks go all-in, selling the house for Stephon Castle and Harrison Barnes. You’d have to believe that when Jon Horst met with Giannis, the 2031 unprotected asset was a key part of the conversation. This is a massive swing—one that could ultimately define Horst’s job security in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee Bucks:
Acquire Stephon Castle (rookie) Acquire Harrison Barnes (expiring) Horst bets the future on Castle’s upside and Barnes’ veteran presence. With
Giannis aging, this is an attempt to add young legs without fully committing to a rebuild. Castle’s defensive potential and growing offensive game fit well next to Milwaukee’s core. Barnes is a win-now addition who can still give quality playoff minutes.
San Antonio Spurs:
Receive multiple unprotected picks (including 2031 MIL) Kyle Kuzma (2 years left on a reasonable deal) Castle becomes expendable after drafting Dylan Harper San Antonio walks away with tonnes of future capital. Barnes was on an expiring anyway, so turning him into Kuzma (who provides real value at SF/PF) and assets is a solid return. With Dylan Harper now the clear future at guard, Castle became a trade chip, and the Spurs cashed in.
Final Thoughts: This is a classic "win-now vs. long-term" trade. Milwaukee takes a big risk but stays competitive, and San Antonio continues stacking assets while staying flexible.
Let me know what you think 👇 Who won the trade?