The Bucks’ roster math is getting tight, and that usually means one thing: someone with real contract value could be on the move before Oct. 19.
Milwaukee is carrying 21 players in camp, but the regular-season limit drops to 18 total, including just 15 on standard deals and three on two-way contracts. That leaves the Bucks needing to clear space, and with 17 players already on standard contracts, a trade looks like more than just a possibility. NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Milwaukee has explored the market, and The Clippers waiving Cam Christie left Charlotte, Milwaukee, Memphis and the Lakers as the main back-of-roster situations being watched before the deadline.
This is familiar territory for the Bucks. They were already connected to several names earlier in the year after the blockbuster trade that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat, including Jonathan Kuminga, Peyton Watson and Jalen Duren. Now the focus is back on trimming the roster, and three names stand out.
Kyle Kuzma has been in the rumor mill for months, and that hasn’t changed. Milwaukee brought him in last February from the Washington Wizards in a four-team deal that sent Khris Middleton and AJ Johnson the other way.
Across his last two seasons with the Bucks, Kuzma averaged 13.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 47.9% from the field and 34.2% from 3. He had efficiency issues at first, but he did post the best field goal percentage of his career in his second season and looked more settled.
Still, the expectation around Kuzma has lingered. Once Antetokounmpo was dealt, plenty of people assumed Kuzma would be next as Milwaukee reset.
That move never materialized, but his name remains one to monitor now that the Bucks are once again exploring trades. He’s also been off to a rough preseason, putting up 6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 4-for-14 from the field and 2-for-7 from 3-point range in two games.
He was the only projected starter against the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Kel'el Ware getting the start at power forward instead. On top of that, Kuzma is on the final year of his $20.5 million expiring contract, which makes him a movable piece for teams looking for wing depth.
Moving Kuzma would also open minutes for younger players like Ousmane Dieng, who impressed in 30 games with Milwaukee last year, and Nate Ament, who is heading into his rookie season. It would give the Bucks a cleaner path to lean into youth and, if they can, bring back assets for the future.
AJ Green is another name worth watching, even if it’s an uncomfortable one for Milwaukee. He just turned in career numbers last season, averaging 10.4 points while hitting 41.9% of his 3s on seven attempts per game across 78 appearances.
He’s one of the league’s better pure shooters, and that makes him useful to almost anyone. But the Bucks are crowded in the backcourt, and that could push Green into the conversation.
Ryan Rollins and Tyler Herro aren’t seen as likely trade options to help with the roster crunch, and rookies Brayden Burries and Kasparas Jakučionis aren’t going anywhere soon. That leaves Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Trent Jr. and Green.
Trent would be difficult to move after Milwaukee committed to him on a four-year, $64 million deal this offseason, a contract that is still under investigation. His preseason has also been rough, which doesn’t help.
Porter offers more versatility because he can play both guard spots and bring shot creation and playmaking. Green, though, is simpler to fit into almost any rotation: he spaces the floor and makes defenses pay.
He signed a four-year, $45 million extension last October and will make $10 million in the first year of that deal, so he’s a tradable piece if Milwaukee decides it needs to make room.
Caris LeVert rounds out the list. The Bucks acquired him from the Detroit Pistons this offseason after sending Gary Harris and Taurean Prince out with a second-round pick attached.
At first glance, LeVert seemed like the kind of veteran who could settle into a role on a young team. Instead, preseason has been a mess.
He has zero points in 29 minutes over two games, has gone 0-for-5 from the field and has committed five turnovers.
With Milwaukee trying to pare down the roster and develop younger talent, LeVert fits the profile of a player who could be dealt if the right team wants veteran depth. He’s on the final year of the two-year, $28.9 million contract he signed with the Pistons, which gives the Bucks another movable salary if they decide to make a swap.
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