As the NBA trade deadline looms, the Milwaukee Bucks are making moves - or at least, exploring them - and one name that’s surfaced in the conversation is D’Angelo Russell. Despite a quiet stretch in terms of on-court action - he’s played just one game since December 27 - Russell is still drawing interest, and the Bucks are reportedly among the teams kicking the tires.
According to league sources, Milwaukee reached out to the Mavericks about Russell, signaling some level of interest in the veteran guard. But here’s where things get interesting: the Bucks weren’t just looking at Russell as a short-term rental. They were only seriously considering him if he’d be willing to decline his $6 million player option for next season and instead re-sign on a veteran minimum deal - a steep pay cut, especially for a player with Russell’s résumé.
The veteran minimum for players with 10-plus years of service is $3.6 million this season, and understandably, Russell wasn’t exactly eager to take that kind of hit. He’s currently holding a player option worth $5.9 million for next year, and unless the market shifts dramatically, that’s still a solid value for a combo guard with his skill set - especially one who can initiate offense, score in bunches, and bring playoff experience to a contender.
So why are the Bucks interested at all? It’s part of a broader strategy.
Milwaukee has been working the phones, looking to improve around the edges without blowing up their core or pushing themselves deeper into the luxury tax. That means targeting players like Russell - veterans who might be undervalued or available for the right price - as well as younger talents with upside or expiring deals that could help them stay flexible.
Names like Cam Thomas have also been floated in connection with the Bucks, as Milwaukee explores multiple trade avenues. The idea isn’t necessarily to swing for the fences, but to find the right complementary pieces to support their stars - or, depending on how things unfold, to position themselves for something much bigger.
That brings us to the elephant in the room: Giannis Antetokounmpo. While the Bucks have started to take trade calls for their franchise cornerstone more seriously, there's no indication a deal is imminent.
Still, the fact that his name is even being mentioned in trade discussions suggests that Milwaukee is at a critical crossroads. And if a blockbuster were to materialize, Russell could be part of a larger package - not necessarily as the centerpiece, but as a valuable piece that helps make the numbers work or adds veteran guard depth to a team looking to reset or retool.
For now, though, it’s all part of the pre-deadline chess match. The Bucks are weighing their options, and Russell’s name is on the board - even if the price tag, and the long-term fit, remain up in the air.