The Milwaukee Bucks are at a crossroads. Giannis Antetokounmpo is hurt again, the season’s slipping away, and the fanbase is split on what comes next. But amid the calls to hit the reset button and embrace a full-on rebuild, the Bucks are still reportedly kicking the tires on a potential trade for Ja Morant.
And that’s where things get complicated.
Let’s be clear: a move for Morant would be polarizing. On one side, you’ve got fans ready to tear it all down and start fresh.
For them, adding Morant-injured, expensive, and inconsistent-feels like pouring water on a grease fire. On the other side, there are those still holding out hope that this season can be salvaged.
Even if the odds are long, they’d rather see the team swing for something than fold early.
The problem? A Morant trade probably doesn’t satisfy either camp.
Morant’s Market Is Cold-For a Reason
Morant’s name is still floating around the trade rumor mill, but the buzz has cooled significantly. His market was never robust to begin with, and now that he’s sidelined with an elbow injury through the trade deadline, the interest has dropped even further. ESPN's Tim Bontemps has suggested that teams like the Bucks and Kings were never as serious as some reports made it seem.
Still, Morant’s upside is real. He’s a gifted playmaker with elite athleticism and scoring instincts.
That makes him a tempting buy-low candidate-at least in theory. But the numbers this season don’t paint a pretty picture.
In 20 games, he’s averaging 19 points and 8.1 assists, but his efficiency has cratered. His effective field goal percentage sits at just 44.1%, and he’s hitting only 23.5% of his threes on high volume.
That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially for a player who’s also struggled defensively.
Then there’s the bigger concern: availability. Morant has played just 79 games over the past three seasons, due to a mix of injuries and off-court issues. That kind of track record doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
What Would a Trade Mean for Milwaukee?
Let’s say the Bucks go for it. They’d be taking on the two years and $87 million left on Morant’s deal after this season, and they’d likely have to part with multiple rotation players to make the deal work. That’s a steep price-especially for a team already short on flexibility.
And what’s the best-case scenario? Maybe Morant returns sooner than expected, rediscovers his All-NBA form, and helps the Bucks claw their way into the Play-In Tournament.
Maybe they even sneak into the first round. But that’s probably the ceiling.
And in that scenario, they’re sacrificing a valuable draft pick and future cap space just to get bounced early.
Would that be enough to keep Giannis happy? Hard to say. But it wouldn’t leave the Bucks with many tools to build a true contender around him this summer.
The Bigger Picture: A Fanbase Divided
This isn’t just about Morant. It’s about identity.
The Bucks have been a playoff team for nine straight years. They’ve built a culture of winning, and for many fans, the idea of tanking-even in the face of adversity-just doesn’t sit right.
But with Giannis out until at least after the All-Star break, and the team’s record already trending in the wrong direction, the window to turn things around is closing fast. At some point, the front office has to decide whether chasing a Play-In spot is worth mortgaging the future.
A Morant trade wouldn’t just be a basketball decision-it would be a statement. And it’s one that would almost certainly deepen the divide between fans who want to fight for every win and those who believe the smart move is to reset and reload.
In the end, acquiring Ja Morant might not change the outcome of this season. But it would absolutely change the conversation-about the Bucks’ direction, their priorities, and what kind of team they want to be moving forward.