Giannis Antetokounmpo & Damian Lillard Trade Proposals to Kickstart Bucks Rebuild Amid Trade Rumors

The Milwaukee Bucks are off to a rough start to the 2024-25 season. The team is 1-4, and these issues are not new—they stem back to last season, when the Bucks did not live up to the expectations many had after acquiring Damian Lillard. Due to this slow start, much of the attention has shifted to Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and whether he is willing to move on. NBA executives say there is growing anticipation that Antetokounmpo could be dealt if the Bucks don’t begin to turn things around. If Giannis did request a trade, it’s likely Milwaukee would also move on from Lillard as they transition to a full rebuild. If that does become the case, here are a couple of deals the Bucks could consider for these franchise-altering moves.

Dame Heads to The Big Easy

The Trade:

Pelicans Receive: Damian Lillard

Bucks Receive: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Daniel Theis

At first glance, this seems like a dull return for Lillard, especially considering what Milwaukee gave up for Dame's services. However, if you consider that the Bucks are a second-apron team—meaning the salaries have to match exactly—as well as Lillard's contract and age, Bucks fans should not expect a massive haul if they trade Lillard.

While exploring trades on the trade machine, I realized that there may not be many suitors for Lillard. In this scenario, Milwaukee gets a young wing in Herb Jones, and although they may not love taking back McCollum, his contract is one year shorter than Lillard’s, which would clear their books a year earlier. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this trade is that Milwaukee receives no draft picks. However, given the current league landscape and the limited landing spots I could find for Lillard, it’s hard to imagine any team being desperate enough to give up draft capital to take him on at his age and money. For the Pelicans, Lillard essentially serves as an upgrade over McCollum, giving New Orleans one of the league’s best backcourts if paired with Dejounte Murray, which would further open up the floor for Zion Williamson.

Houston, The Greek Freak Has Landed

The Trade:

Rockets Receive: Giannis Antetokoumnpo, Delon Wright

Bucks Receive: Amen Thompson, Reed Shepard, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, Jeff Green, Four First Round Picks

Of course, it would be devastating for the Bucks organization and fanbase if Antetokounmpo were to ask out, but getting this much young talent in return would at least make the pill easier to swallow. Bringing in a young core of recent top-five picks in their respective drafts—Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson—along with four future draft picks, is a strong start to the rebuild for Milwaukee. This also moves Antetokounmpo to the Western Conference. For Houston, Giannis immediately transforms them into a contender out West, pairing the two-time MVP with young players Jalen Green and Alperen Şengün, along with solid veterans like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, who could be key contributors for Coach Ime Udoka's Rockets.