Would trading for Ja Morant help the Bucks keep Giannis?

Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor is joined by Andrew Sharp to discuss if Milwaukee may make a move for the two-time All-Star to give the team a boost before the trade deadline. Check out the full conversation on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.

Video Transcript

Now, if you were the Bucks, Andrew, where would you be on their decisions?

As the deadline approaches?

Because they’ve been kind of linked.

To Ja.

They, they.

Mm-hmm.

Could put an offer on the table, Kuzma.

Portis.

They could give up if they wanted to.

Their 2026 swap this year.

So, like, in theory, They could give the Grizzlies the rights to that and drop a handful of spots.

They could trade their future 2031 first as well.

Are you Mm-hmm.

…

Going in this direction if you’re Milwaukee, just taking a swing on Ja?

Well, it’s hard for me to put myself in John Horst’s shoes, because if I were Horst, I would be reading the writing on the wall and concluding that, All right, like the Giannis era has sort of run its course at this point.

And we’ve got at most four or five more months of this experiment.

And I would not want to put a 2031 first on the table to roll the dice with Ja Morant.

And then potentially be left paying Ja Morant for the next couple of years after Giannis leaves this summer.

It just seems kind of crazy to go that way.

However, they’re putting their chips down over and over again This work.

And so if that’s the plan and that’s the approach.

I don’t know how many other trades are available for Kyle Kuzma.

Bobby Portis and the 2026 swap, which isn’t great, and, Like the 2031 first.

Though the 2031 first is a valuable asset.

That would be what would scare me away from doing this deal.

But, um, I think the Bucks at this point seem pot committed to try to make it work Giannis.

So, I could see them going this direction.

I personally would not do it if I were the Bucks’ front office.

What do you Yeah.

Uh, I mean, I’m with you there.

I mean, I’d rather not go for Ja Morant, but at the same time, Considering where they are and if they want to do everything possible, more than they’ve already done in trying to make it work with Giannis.

Ja undeniably does raise your ceiling.

He probably also, yeah.

… Lowers your floor, because, I mean, like you said, that 2031 first.

I wouldn’t want to give that up for Ja Morant.

It’s too, too valuable.

And even, even if you want, here’s what I’ll say.

… Top 10 protection, something like that.

Yeah, I would give up the 2031 first if Getting a wing to complete the lineup they have with Giannis right now.

Um, because, uh, that’s what’s been sorely lacking for the last year and a half in Milwaukee.

So if you can get a credible two-way wing, Um, doesn’t have to be an All-Star level guy, but someone who can give you feel good about, then, all right, maybe I’ll consider the 2031st.

Uh, for Ja, though, it’s almost certainly gonna end badly for whoever trades for Ja.

Morant, which doesn’t mean it’s the craziest idea in the world to, to gamble on him.

But I would hold onto the 2031 first.

Um, if Ja- Yeah.

Is on the other end.

Would trading for Ja Morant help the Bucks keep Giannis?

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