The Milwaukee Bucks haven’t made their move yet this trade season, but they might want to take a page out of the Chicago Bulls’ playbook after a savvy three-team deal went down Saturday night.
Here’s how it unfolded: the Cleveland Cavaliers shipped De’Andre Hunter to the Sacramento Kings, getting back Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis in return. But the Bulls quietly played the role of facilitator, stepping in to absorb Dario Šarić and his $5.4 million expiring contract from Sacramento. In exchange, Chicago picked up two second-round picks - one from Cleveland (via Denver, 2027) and another from Sacramento (2029).
At first glance, it might look like a minor role for the Bulls, but make no mistake - this is the kind of forward-thinking maneuver the Bucks should be eyeing as the deadline approaches. Chicago saw an opportunity to weaponize its cap space and came away with extra draft capital. Milwaukee, sitting on nearly $12 million in tax space, is in a position to do exactly the same.
Let’s be real: the Bucks aren’t where they expected to be this season. The win-now window hasn’t slammed shut, but it’s definitely not as wide open as it was a year ago. So rather than chasing a big-name splash at the deadline, Milwaukee should be hunting for deals that help restock their draft cupboard - something they’ve depleted in recent years chasing title contention.
That’s what made Chicago’s move so smart. They didn’t need to land a star.
They just needed to be available and opportunistic. The Kings had to clear room to bring in Hunter.
The Cavs wanted to get Hunter’s salary off the books. The Bulls stepped in, took on Šarić’s contract, and got rewarded for their trouble.
Simple, clean, effective.
Milwaukee could - and should - do the same. There’s already chatter that the Bucks are exploring a similar route.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, they’ve had discussions about taking on D’Angelo Russell’s contract from the Mavericks in exchange for second-round picks. Dallas is reportedly looking to shed salary, especially with Russell holding a $5.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
If the Bucks can help them do that and pick up draft capital in the process, that’s a win.
And to be clear, this doesn’t mean the Bucks need to tear it all down or entertain wild ideas like trading Giannis Antetokounmpo. This isn’t about blowing things up - it’s about being smart, flexible, and forward-thinking.
Adding a couple of second-rounders here and there might not make headlines, but it builds a foundation for future moves. It gives the front office more tools to work with, whether that’s to draft, trade, or sweeten a deal down the line.
General manager Jon Horst has built a reputation as an aggressive buyer. But this season calls for a different approach. The Bucks have been hanging around the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings longer than anyone expected, and it’s time to adjust the strategy accordingly.
Chicago just showed how to do it - no blockbuster needed, no star required. Just cap space, awareness, and the willingness to play the long game. The Bucks should be taking notes.