With the Milwaukee Bucks facing a roster crunch before the season opens, AJ Green suddenly finds himself in a tricky spot. After Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, and Bobby Portis all left this summer, Green is now the team’s longest-tenured player. That distinction may not last long, though, because the Bucks need to cut two players and there’s at least a real chance Green gets pulled into those discussions.
Nobody is suggesting Green has played his way off the roster. Quite the opposite.
He’s still viewed as a useful rotation piece, but that also means he has enough value to matter in trade talks. Milwaukee is crowded in the backcourt, and it would be a surprise if the team didn’t move at least one guard before the season begins.
If Ryan Rollins, Tyler Herro, Brayden Burries, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Kevin Porter Jr. all remain in place, which seems likely, the trade candidates narrow to Green, Caris LeVert, and Gary Trent Jr. LeVert is on an expiring contract, but after the quietest season of his career, he probably won’t draw much interest. Trent’s new deal is drawing so much attention that the NBA is investigating it, which makes him a tough piece to move as well.
That leaves Green as the most realistic option. Contenders would have reason to look his way.
He is one of the league’s best outside shooters, he brings more defensive value than he gets credit for, and his $10.8 million salary this season is manageable. Those factors give Milwaukee at least some reason to consider shopping him.
Still, the Bucks can’t just hand him away to make room. If they move Green, they should get something back, even if a first-round pick is unlikely. A package of second-rounders could at least make the deal worth thinking about.
It would be a tough departure. Green has been one of the brighter notes for Milwaukee since he arrived.
But the roster math is real, and the Bucks are going to have to make a difficult call somewhere. At this point, Green’s name being part of the conversation would be no shock at all.
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