Bucks stars Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo during 2023-24 season - Photo by Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) – As the Bucks look to snap their four-game losing streak on Saturday against the Cleveland Cavilers, the team has reportedly begun looking at restarting trade conversations around two star players.
According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, the Bucks “will likely have to deal (Brook) Lopez, (Bobby) Portis, or (Pat) Connaughton to upgrade their team. Trading MarJon Beauchamp won’t really do anything, as they cannot aggregate salaries as a 2nd apron team.”
Lopez, who is averaging 11.4 points and five rebounds per game so far this season, was reportedly in trade decisions this past offseason with teams like the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers previously showing interest in acquiring him, though the Bucks were not able to make a deal that included Lopez’s salary being picked up or a first round pick coming to Milwaukee, so the team opted to keep him.
Meanwhile, while the Portis has provided the Bucks with nearly 12 points per game off the bench this season, his defensive struggles have drawn the ire of fans, and he’s yet to record a positive plus/minus during the team’s losing streak, which is used by teams to determine how effective a player’s minutes are, as he’s posted an average of -13 since the season opening win over the 76ers.
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