Jun 18, 2026 10:00 AM
Could the Milwaukee Bucks make a deal that doesn't involve Giannis Antetokounmpo at the NBA draft?
The first round of the NBA Draft takes place on Tuesday, June 23. The date marks an unofficial start to trade season as teams try to move around the draft to land on the player they have their sights set on.
Of course, trading draft picks means potentially trading other players already under contract.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo is the subject of many rumors, and he could be moved as early as the NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks have other decisions to make regarding its roster.
They currently have the tenth pick in the draft, and if they are going to deal Giannis, will be looking to secure more youth and draft capital moving forward as they'll be setting themselves up for a rebuild.
Moving Up In The Draft?
Clutch Points published its latest mock draft with a big trade involving the Bucks, but not Giannis.
The trade sees the Bucks acquire Buddy Hield, the eighth overall pick from Atlanta, and the 17th overall pick from Oklahoma City.
Atlanta would get Bobby Portis from the Bucks and the 12th pick from OKC, while OKC would get the 10th pick from the Bucks.
The mock draft has the Bucks taking point guard Kingston Flemings from Houston with the pick.
Should Milwaukee Make This Move?
If they are set on a certain player that won't be there at ten, then effectively giving up Bobby Portis to move up two spots in the draft, while also acquiring Hield and another first round pick, is a worthwhile move. Portis has already been in trade rumors, with reports that the Bucks may attach him to a Giannis trade given their friendship and continued desire to get younger.
After the top four, there is a run of guards that fall into the next tier, including Flemings, Darius Acuff Jr, Keaton Wagler, and Mikel Brown Jr. All four are close in terms of who stands out, and who ends up being the best of the four could come down to situation and development.
None of those four are expected to fall to ten where the Bucks would pick, leaving them with the possibility of drafting Nate Ament, a small forward out of Tennessee, or Brayden Burries, a guard out of Arizona.
If the Bucks want one of the four guards, they would need to move up in the draft. Using Portis, who might be traded anyway, whether he's part of a Giannis deal or not, to ensure you get one of those guards is a no-brainer for Milwaukee.
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