A proposed AJ Green trade would bring Wendell Carter Jr. to Milwaukee, but the added salary and crowded frontcourt complicate the Bucks’ return.
The Milwaukee Bucks could turn AJ Green into an experienced starting center in a proposed three-team trade, although the deal comes with a significant question about roster fit.
Sports Illustrated’s breakdown of the Bleacher Report proposal describes Milwaukee sending Green to the Golden State Warriors and receiving Wendell Carter Jr. from the Orlando Magic.
The idea would be to exchange perimeter shooting for frontcourt help.
It would also increase the Bucks’ payroll: Carter is set to make $18.1 million in 2026-27, compared with Green’s $10 million.
Apr 12, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; MilwaukeeBucksguardAJGreen(20) drives against Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) in the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn ImagesThat makes describing the proposal as Milwaukee escaping an undesirable contract difficult to justify. The Bucks would take on a larger salary commitment, and Myles Turner would remain on their roster.
This is a hypothetical trade, with no reported agreement among the teams.
A Different Use for Green’s Value
Green’s shooting gives Milwaukee something useful to offer in trade discussions. The question is whether using that value to acquire another center would improve the team enough to justify the exchange.
The Bucks already have Turner, Kel’el Ware and Jericho Sims. Adding Carter would create another demand for minutes at a position where Milwaukee has multiple options.
Feb 9, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guardAJGreen(20) shoots against Orlando Magic centerWendellCarterJr. (34) during the first quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn ImagesSports Illustrated reports that the Bucks could use their trade exception to accommodate the salary difference. Having a mechanism to complete a transaction, however, does not establish that the transaction is the best basketball decision.
A productive trade should address an identifiable need. If Milwaukee wants another center, it should have a clear explanation of what that player would provide beyond its current options.
Otherwise, the Bucks risk paying more for a rotation that becomes harder to organize.
There is also a development consideration. Giving a younger player consistent minutes can help a team determine whether it has a long-term answer at the position. Adding another veteran could limit that opportunity without substantially improving the team’s ceiling.
Apr 7, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; MilwaukeeBucksguardAJGreen(20) shoots the ball while defended by Brooklyn Nets guard Drake Powell (4) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn ImagesTurner’s Future Would Still Matter
The proposal becomes easier to understand if Milwaukee separately moves Turner. That would create room for Carter and change the financial assessment.
But a second transaction cannot be treated as an automatic consequence of the first. Until another deal exists, the Bucks would need to evaluate the roster with both players on it.
The same principle applies to Green. His contract should be assessed alongside his role, production and potential trade return. Moving him simply because a deal is available would be an incomplete reason to act.
Milwaukee should consider offers that improve its balance, preserve flexibility or bring back assets that support its direction. A center acquisition could satisfy those goals under the right circumstances.
This particular framework requires more explanation. Carter would have to represent enough of an upgrade to offset the lost shooting, increased payroll and additional competition for frontcourt minutes.
The Bucks could make that argument if another move reshapes their roster. As presented, the proposal exchanges one useful player for another while leaving the larger roster questions unanswered.
