Instead of hitting the reset button, the Milwaukee Bucks could determine moving pieces around the star tandem of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard is the ideal solution.
Regardless of the approach, it’s obvious changes are needed with Bucks sitting at 2-6 and near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Packaging the salary of the injured Khris Middleton, young players, and as much draft capital as possible could land a third star in Milwaukee.
One veteran ready to compete for a title at a high level is Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, who has remained in trade rumors for months due to the absence of a contract extension last offseason. NBA legend Paul Pierce believes the Bucks are the perfect landing spot for the 35-year-old.
“I like Jimmy Butler on a team that can get you over the top,” Pierce said on the Ticket & The Truth podcast. “Like Jimmy Butler to Milwaukee makes more sense to me. He could be that missing piece at the age of 35 that you need to take the pressure off of Giannis and Dame Lillard.”
“If I’m 35, I want to go somewhere to where I got a chance to for a [championship] at this point,” Pierce shared. “That I can help a team get over the top.”
Garnett was also a big fan of the pairing, saying, “If you can get Jimmy Butler to Milwaukee, that changes things, and you know what to that’s that balance you were talking about.”
It would take a great deal of assets to land Butler, especially when considering the other organizations likely willing to offer a strong package. This means the only logical way the six-time All-Star ends up in Milwaukee is by specifically requesting a trade there, limiting the front office’s options.
The Big Three of Antetokounmpo, Lillard, and Butler can pose a great threat to the reigning champion Boston Celtics and anyone else standing in the way of hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
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